How to Prepare for a First Date

So. You're going on a first date with someone.

Congratulations! That’s really exciting. However, as anyone who’s been on a first date before can tell you, it’s also very likely to be at least a little nerve-wracking.

Before a first date with someone, it’s only natural for there to be a lot going through your head. You might be worrying about whether your idea for a fun date was the right plan, whether you know the right way to handle the check, or whether you’ll get a goodnight kiss.

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It can be a lot to keep track of, which is why you might overlook these six things. But luckily for you, this is a checklist of things to double-check before you head out on the date.

1. Remember to Freshen Up

Of course, you probably don't have to remember any of this, but just in case, when going on a first date, it’s a good idea to look presentable. Not to the level of “meeting the head of state” fancy, but fancier than you usually look on a day-to-day basis.

You probably want to wear clean, stylish, occasion-appropriate clothes, shower, shave (or trim, depending on the look you're going for), brush your teeth, trim/clean/file your nails, clean your glasses, and it’s a good idea to pop a mint or a stick of gum to keep your mouth kissably fresh, too.

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2. Remember to Bring Cash

These days, almost everything is paid for digitally, but having a few bills in your wallet is rarely a bad idea, and it’s an especially good one when going on a date.

While it's not necessarily on the guy to pay for a date anymore, most people would agree that guys are still expected to pay for first dates, especially if you were the one who did the asking.

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Lots of things can happen when it comes to those cards we take for granted — some places don't take plastic; sometimes places have tech snafus and lose service, and sometimes your card will get canceled without you knowing about it because a scammer used it to buy flat-screen TVs. Or, you might simply walk by a cute cash-only ice cream parlor.

Even if you choose to roll with credit or debit in the end — or the two of you end up splitting the bill — you buy yourself a lot of peace of mind leaving the house with a full wallet.

3. Remember to Put Your Phone on ‘Do Not Disturb’

Your phone is an important part of your date. Or rather, its absence is. Before you leave on a date, putting your phone on some sort of ‘Do Not Disturb’ mode is a good idea. If you're going to a movie, you'd do it anyway — it signals that your focus is going to be 100% on your date, not on all the little alerts that might come your way.

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Having an unobtrusive phone allows you the best of both worlds — while it won't be buzzing and ringing and butting its way into your flirtatious conversation (or other steamy stuff), it'll still be ready at your beck and call should you need to Google other nearby sushi restaurants that are open on Tuesdays or hail a lift when you're too drunk to walk your date home.

4. Remember to Tidy Up Your Space

Whether you live in a giant mansion or a tiny room in an apartment, if you have a home to bring someone back to, it’s a good idea to spend a little time cleaning it before your date. It doesn’t need to sparkle, but it also shouldn’t be covered in grime and piles of dirty clothes, ideally.

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And, while cleaning up your sleeping area is the obvious move, making sure the bathroom’s clean, too, is a pro tip. It may be the smallest and least exciting room in your place, but for God's sake, clean it. Even if you don't think there's a chance in hell your date will agree to come back to your place. If they do, and they visit your bathroom at any point (they’re only human, after all) and it's a horrifying mess of human body grossness, that will likely reflect poorly on you.

5. Remember to Bring Condoms

If you’re asexual, you can skip this step — but if the prospect of hooking up with your date excites you, keep reading.

While bringing condoms along on a first date might strike some as arrogant, in reality, it's just called being prepared. Since you're a mere mortal, you don't know where things are going to end up by the evening's end and, in all likelihood, if your date’s willing, there’s a good chance you're going to be willing, too. So don't put your (possibly drunker) future self in a position to make a potentially life-altering decision in the heat of the moment by being too modest to bring a condom.

6. Remember to Be Cool

Before you head out, it might not be a bad idea to check in with yourself. What's your mindset like going into the date? 

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No matter how well you’ve planned things, the wrong state of mind can easily ruin a good day. If you’re sure it’ll go badly, it likely will; if you’re overconfident, you might come off as cocky or entitled.

You should keep your expectations upbeat, but manageable. When your date talks, listen; steer clear of intense, mood-ruining topics like your ex or things that make you angry. And, if you find it's going well in an organic way and you sense your date feels the same, ask them for a second date at the end of the night.

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