The Best First Date Tips for Men

Going on a first date can be nerve-wracking, whether you're a man or a woman.  You might feel like you're just not a great dater. If you feel like you're lack of dating prowess is ruining your chances for a meaningful long-term relationship, there are some things you can do on your next first date to make it go more smoothly. 

Look Your Best

Take out the teeth whitening strips, trim your beard, get rid of any unsightly nose hairs with your trimmer, and choose a nice outfit. It sounds simple, but a lot of men don't groom as much as women do before a first date and it can show.

When you look your best, you're showing the date is a priority to you and that you wanted to put time into it. There's also the benefit that comes from the fact that when you look your best, you feel your best. 

The better you feel, the more confidence you're going to convey, and confidence is an important part of a first date. 

Try to dress for your date as well. If you're going to a nicer restaurant, step it up a bit. 

If you come to a first date looking sloppy and unkempt how can your date see you a potential partner?

Be On-Time or Even Early

Sometimes there's a misconception when it comes to dating that you don't want to seem too eager, and that could somehow be a turnoff. That isn't the case nearly all the time.

You want to show that you are eager to be there, because who wants someone who doesn't want to be with them?

Show up on-time for your date, or even better early.

This gives you the chance to relax a bit and calm your nerves before your date gets there, rather than rushing in and being frazzled. 

Don't Be Too Touchy-Feely

Sometimes men think that when they're on a first date if they're touchy-feely, it shows their interest, but the reality is that it can be unsettling. Some people don't like being touched in general or may not be comfortable with it if they don't know the person

Another risk with this approach is that you might come off as someone who behaves that way on every date, so your date won't feel as special. 

Be Willing to Open Up

When you're on a first date, you don't have to tell all of your deepest secrets or overshare, but you don't need to be the strong silent type either. 

When a guy doesn't talk much on a first date, he can come off as being emotionally unavailable or perhaps boring. 

Try to find a connection or something that you share with your date that you can talk about and have a nice, natural back and forth about. 

You neither want to dominate a conversation or be too passive in it. 

There's something else to think about with the first-date conversation-don't go too heavy. Sometimes when people are on a first date they think if they get into the heavy topics of life then it's creating a connection.

Not necessarily the case. 

A first date should be light and fun. If you don't think you can manage that at this point in your life, you might want to hold off on dating until you're in a better headspace. 

Don't Drink Too Much

If you're nervous about a date, you might think having a drink or a few drinks will loosen you up, but if you drink too much you might ruin your chances of a second date. Know your limits when it comes to alcohol and pace yourself. 

Have Manners

Sometimes in the modern dating world, you might feel like there's no room for manners or gentlemanly behavior. Yes, women are independent and want to be treated as such, but that doesn't negate the need for manners. 

Treat your date well. Hold a door for her and stay off your phone during your date. 

Finally, show your funny side, but be careful with the jokes that could be offensive. You really never know someone else's perspective on things and part of building a relationship is learning more about them, but you don't have the knowledge on a first date to go too far on the jokes. 

Keep it neutral until you get the know the person's sense of humor a little better or run the risk of offending and not getting that second date.