FIRST IMPRESSIONS: ON A DATE! 

1.         SMILE – A friendly face is more pleasant than a stale one.

2.         A HUG or SHAKE HANDS  

Be alert and quick to respond to the body language both at the beginning and end of the date.  If the date offers to shake hands at the beginning, then you already are able to gauge that this person has tendency is to be more formal and doesn’t go around hugging people.  If the person offers a slight hug on the side, then you are able to gauge that formal yet able to let their guard down a slight bit on this date.  Reason being that both of you are not a complete strangers because there has been correspondence but date is still in its infancy stage.

Remember, when you shake hands or hug, the receiver is trying to make sense of you.  If you have sweaty hands, this would influence more of a negative perception of you. The warmth of your hands or hugs informs a lot about a person

3.         MAINTAIN EYE CONTACT

                         If you don’t many people feel that you could be lying or being elusive

     If you are wearing dark glasses, take them off and have direct eye contact.

4.         CONSIDER EACH DATE AS AN OPPORTUNITY

            Be enthusiastic about meeting the other person, they could be your life long mate.

5.         SHUT THE DOOR ON YOUR TROUBLES

            Do not discuss family or financial problems.

            Think about how this person will be able to bring the positive aspect to your life.

6.         LISTEN TO YOUR DATE

            Be sure you understood their questions and consider your answers carefully.

7.         BE ATTENTIVE TO BODY LANGUAGE

            -Avoid raising barriers

            -Don’t cross your arms across your chest.

            -Don’t place anything on the table between you and the date.

            -Avoid the appearance of withdrawing from the date

 8.        BE CALM AND POISED – avoid nervous habits

            -Don’t cross your legs and keep the free foot moving.

            -Don’t play with your fingernails.

            -Keep your hands off your moustache, beard, and/or hair

            -Don’t play with jewellery

            -Don’t tap your finger on the chair arm or table

            -Sit up straight, don’t slouch

            - Avoid aggravating speech habits such as ``eh, ummm, you know what I mean"

 9.         DON’T CHEW GUM- EVER!

             -The date might thing you’re enjoying the piece of gum more than their company.

 10.       DON`T SIT DOWN UNTIL YOUR DATE HAS SAT DOWN FIRST!

            -Don’t sit across the room.

            -Sit close to your date (not on top) and then of course face your date.

            -Don’t lean on the table