Congratulations! You've just been asked out on a date. While this is quite the accomplishment, now is not the time to get overconfident. Yes, this person may be super cute, and yes, this may be the most exciting thing that has happened all week. Surely you don't want to mess this up. After all, they could be "The One." Here are nine guidelines to ensure the best first date.

Be Polite And Respectful

Whether you've known this person for three hours or three years, it's always a good idea to show respect to the person sitting across from you. You don't have to be proper with your pinkie sticking out when you take a drink, but saying please and thank you shouldn't be too much to ask. And if you're out at dinner, that goes for the waiting staff as well. When you treat others with respect, your date will take notice.

Meet Them In Public

This one is especially important if you met your date online or on social media. This is for your safety. When someone asks you to come watch a movie at their house for the first date, odds are they just want to sleep with you. Worse things can happen, and it's better to make sure the person is who they say they are before any conversation of going back to their place, even for a hook up.

Dress Nicely

Just think: whatever you wear to meet them will be their first impression of you. There are ways to impress people without wearing basically nothing to the first date. I'm not saying you have to go all out and wear a dress to coffee. Wear what makes you feel good, and I'm sure they will think you look amazing no matter what.

Avoid Politics

Politics are all the rave right now. With the upcoming election, it's all anyone can talk about. This is one conversation that can get very heated very quickly. You may not have the same views as your date and it is best to keep whatever topic you are truly passionate about to yourself. Good relationships can thrive regardless of political differences. Get to know the person before you get to know their politics.

Religion

Religion is an extremely touchy subject for thousands of people. Whether you are Muslim, Christian, Jewish, Atheist or one of the many other religions in this world, you probably have a very strong stance on the topic. No person is wrong in what they believe. Furthermore, no person is required to say what they do or do not believe in. Asking someone to participate in such a deep and intimate conversation on the first date could be crossing their boundaries. Don't risk making your date uncomfortable for the sake of conversation.

Past Relationships

Another conversation topic that could turn the date sour is prior dating experience. A couple passing phrases like, "Oh yea! I went there on a date once. Best sushi I've ever had!" are more than OK. I think it goes without saying that the entire date shouldn't be spent talking about your ex and how much you miss them. This also goes along with respect. Do not ask the other person intimate details of their past, and don't release more of yours than you are comfortable with. The first date is supposed to be fun! Talk about video games, movies, the best pizza in town or show them your favorite band. The best dates are the ones where the laughter and conversation never stops.

Always Have An Escape Route

Just in case it ends up being the absolute worst date in human history, know how to get out. Always drive yourself to the first date so you don't have to endure an uncomfortable ride home after a bad date. It's good to let a friend know when you are on a date. That way if anything goes wrong, at least one person knows where you went with them. Having one good friend is also key for the emergency "Get me out of here" texts. Fake an emergency and get the heck out of that bad date!

Don't Have Expectations

Walking into the first date should never include a checklist of must-haves. Don't expect a second date. Sure, a second date would be amazing, but you should never expect one. Don't expect a guy to hold open doors or grab the check. Some men prefer to do that, and some do not. Be prepared for either situation. Some women prefer to grab the bill, and some guys can be hostile toward the invitation. Nobody should be expected to do anything on the first, second, or 17th date. Expectations can kill a relationship.

The First Kiss

The always anticipated first kiss is the worst expectation of all. Some people assume the first kiss goes hand in hand with the first date. Some people think that is too soon. Everyone has a different idea of when the first kiss should happen. The best thing to do is ask. I know, it doesn't seem very romantic compared to the passionate surprise we know from movies. One simple "Can I kiss you?" can go a long way in making your date more comfortable around you. Communication goes far in a relationship; shouldn't it start with it?

In the end, it doesn't matter what you say or do on the first date. Every little thing will always boil down to how much you connect with the person. These guidelines are meant to be bent and broken where they should. Maybe your first conversation is about politics and the date is amazing. Maybe it's not. These nine guidelines are to ensure that you and your date are the most comfortable you can be. The more comfortable you are, the easier it is to just be yourself. That's the number one way to enjoy the first date. Be yourself, and they just might fall for the person you let yourself be.