We’ve all got those things that might happen while on a date that we consider ‘deal breakers’ – things that kill the relationship before it even begins. Here are a few date night deal breakers to keep in mind the next time you are heading out and want to impress your date.
- Bad Hygiene – This particular deal breaker applies to both men and women. Make sure you observe all the rules of proper hygiene at all times, but especially when you’re trying to make a good impression with your date. Along with good hygiene – Don’t overdo it on the cologne or perfume. Nothing kills the date night romance like a migraine headache from too much of a good thing.
- Being Too Opinionated – It’s fantastic that you’ve got strong feelings about veganism or religion, but don’t try to convert your date to your way of thinking. If their opposing views are a deal breaker for you then you aren’t obligated to a second date.
- Being Inappropriate – Making sexist or racist jokes, inappropriate comments, or having a general disregard for your date or those around you is a huge turn off for most people. Tolerance and good taste are qualities that go a long way towards speaking for your character.
- Poor Table Manners – If you are on a dinner date and don’t know which fork to use, chances are your date will forgive you. However, be kind to your server, don’t talk with your mouth full, use your napkin not your sleeve and all of those other table manners your parents drilled into you. Your date will appreciate it.
- Getting Inebriated – This should go without saying. If you are trying to make a good impression, then too many drinks is not the way to go. A glass of wine, a beer or a cocktail on your date is perfectly acceptable, but drinking so much that you say something inappropriate and offend your date or other diners is a sure way to make a first date your last date.
- Being Married to your Cell Phone – This is just common courtesy: Leave the tweeting, Facebooking, emailing, and texting to after your date. Your date deserves your undivided attention and giving priority to your phone gives the impression he or she isn’t at the top of the list. Just put the phone away – it can wait.
- Talking about Exes – Your date doesn’t want to hear about your ex – good OR bad. Those conversations are best left for friends or long-term relationships, not date night and especially not first dates.
- Dominating the Conversation – You should both be sharing information about yourselves, and to do that you need to give your date a chance to speak. In addition – it’s fine to share your accomplishments but boasting or name-dropping is a definite turn off.
There are always more personal deal-breakers, like not being a fan of baseball or only reading non-fiction, but the list above is a good starting point if you want to make a good impression and have a chance at the second date. What are your deal-breakers? Share in the comments!
