Dating is tough in a world where we swipe right for approval and the word “chill” means so much more than just spending time together. Is this winking face emoji implying what I'm thinking? When do we D.T.R. (define the relationship)? Should we be Facebook official? Are we actually watching Netflix this time?
Alas, I am here to help with some words of dating wisdom. And no, these are not the typical “bro-to-bro” pointers that you might receive from some big macho tough guy. Instead, these are a few helpful tips and tricks that a lot of men do not hear too often when seeking dating advice.
1. Dress To Impress
Pretty obvious, but still very important. With dating, and most of life, first impressions mean a lot. Within the first few moments, you are already either one step ahead or one step behind in the other person’s mind. Think of your first impression as the countdown in "Mario Kart." You want to get a boost instead of spinning out before the race even begins.
In order to do this, you are going to have to dress appropriately for your date. You don’t necessarily have to put on a fancy suit and tie, but you definitely want to put some effort into your outfit. You want to show off your personal style while also showing your date that they are worth your time. If you are worried about finding something to wear or just need a little help in the fashion department, I recommend starting off simple (not boring). A nice solid color T-shirt, v-neck, polo, or button-down paired with some chinos or jeans will do the trick for most casual dates. But if you are feeling a little more confident or are already quite fashion-savvy, I recommend going big with funky socks, rolled up pants/shorts, boots, and bold patterns.
(Bonus: Don’t sweat over brands. Save some money by using coupons and shopping on clearance racks. Most thrift stores have a lot of great finds that look just as good as newly purchased items.)
2. Hydrate
Seems a bit odd, right? Wrong! Drinking water has so many health benefits and is crucial to living a healthy life, including healthy dating. Drinking water is known to balance bodily fluids, energize muscles, control food consumption, help keep skin looking good, and better regulate “number twos” in the bathroom. From grabbing drinks at the bar to hiking in the woods, consistently drinking water will hydrate your body and prepare it for whatever date-like activities you are going to partake in.
If you and your date are going out for drinks or coffee, water is important to rehydrate your body from all of the dehydration that beverages like alcohol and coffee cause. It’s also a good idea to drink plenty of water if you are going to be doing any outdoor activities, especially if it is hot, because the combination of sun and heat can quickly dehydrate your body. And if all else fails, drinking lots of water will give you an excuse to head to the bathroom and recollect yourself.
3. Pamper Yourself
4. Get Ready For Your Close Up
Listen up, guys. Blemishes are some of the most annoying things that happen to our bodies and they affect everyone at some point in their life. It is okay. We cannot really control when a pesky pimple pops up, but we can control how noticeable it is with the help of an ancient technique that people have been using for centuries — makeup. Now before you stop reading, makeup is not just for women. Makeup is for all genders, including men. You don’t have to “beat your face” in order to benefit from the magical powers of a good concealer.
For easy use and cruelty-free cosmetics for all skin tones, I recommend Revlon’s PhotoReady Concealer, Monave’s Cream to Powder Concealer, NARS’ Radiant Creamy Concealer, and 100 percent PURE’s Fruit Pigmented Long Lasting Concealer.
5. Don’t Be Arrogant
Nobody wants to date a person that only talks about themselves.
6. Compliment Your Date…On More Than Just Appearance
Yes, your date probably spent a decent amount of time getting ready and I am sure they want to be complimented on it. But there are more to people than just appearances. What else do you like about this person? Are they funny? Do they come up with witty comebacks? Can they recite a poem at the drop of a hat? Were they a "mathalete" in high school? Compliment them on their other qualities, like humor or intelligence. If their appearance is the only thing you like about them, they’re probably not for you.
7. Have Fun
This is probably one of the more important pieces of advice on this list. Yes, have fun. You deserve it. Plan a fun activity with your date that goes beyond dinner and a movie. Do something that gets you two talking and moving. Take Salsa lessons, go to a cooking class, roll your own sushi, volunteer at a pet shelter, take a walk in the park, try a painting class, test your skills at trivia night, visit a museum, or even just try something new that you both haven’t done before. Mix it up. You will have plenty of chances to get dinner before a movie.
8. Follow Up
Don’t leave them hanging. After the date is over, make sure to follow up with them. Ask them if they got home okay and thank them for their time. Whether the two of you want to see each other again or not is between you two. But being kind enough to follow up with a date is a good practice to have for when you do find someone that you want to see again.
A follow up can either create potential for another date or solidify a conclusion with the other person. In addition, save your date’s name and phone number in your phone to avoid any possible future embarrassment or confusion. It sounds like common etiquette, but we’ve all gotten that message before from an unsaved number and we’ve had no earthly idea of who it was. Save the “new phone, who dis” for another time.
Brownie points: If you are dropping your date off afterwards, make sure they get in their home before driving off. It’s common courtesy and shows that you care about their safety.
