15 Things You Should Never Do On A First Date (Some Are Lifesaving)

First dates are tough, we never know what to expect. This list ranges from serious to optional choices, but all fall on the scale of importance in one way or another. Whether it's complaining during the date or more serious situations, these matters are to be taken seriously. With the rise of dangerous acts committed in the states being higher than it ever has been, even more so since Donald Trump has become President-Elect, women have to be extremely careful when going on dates and meeting men they don't know. Dates should proceed with caution when it comes to the first time meeting a person, it's so important to not be afraid of meeting new people but also proceed with caution. I suggest you even let your BFF in on the scoop when you go on your first date so they know where you are and if they message you and you don't respond they can actually call the police. If you take these tips into consideration, they might not protect everyone, but they should help keep you aware.

With these simple tips, from the more common to things that are a safety precaution, we can never be too careful when it comes to going on a date. Especially when we're constantly meeting new people through dating apps, there's never a thing as 'too' careful. The honest saying, “Better safe than sorry” is very real in this kind of situation. Be safe and hopefully you'll find the person of your dreams!

15 Complain

When you really connect with another individual even if it's just the first date, it's easy to let our guard down and open up about many aspects of our life other's aren't very invested in. It can be very easy to slip into a state of complaining about parts of our lives that we are just tired of dealing with. While it's good that you feel so open and honest, sometimes it's best to hold back in the department of complaining, you might come off as ungrateful or just bratty! This goes for anyone and no matter what number of dates you've been on it's never a pleasant thing to hear someone complain about their job or someone they work with. The only thing that complaining does is bring a toxic energy to the table and to the conversation, making everyone feel down even yourself! Why would we want that? Instead, try to think of the positives you have surrounding your life!

14 Talk About intimacy

Sometimes things can move a bit too fast, especially when you feel the need to 'relate' to a guy by talking about what goes down in the bedroom. No thanks! If it's a mutual thing, fine, whatever floats your boat! But if the conversation is steered into that direction simply because you feel the need to make him interested in you, it's going to be all for the wrong reasons. The only thing that will come of that is he'll either not call you back, or he'll just call you back for a booty call! By bringing up the bedroom simply because you feel the need to relate to him, it's important to know that not all guys have it on the brain, also it'll just turn into a friends with benefits situation in most cases. Instead try talking about each other's passions and goals, keep the conversation going with deep questions that really make a person think!

13 Lie

Lying is never something you should do in a conversation, especially on a date! While you might feel the need to lie because you want to impress or make it seem like your life is together, lying is not the way to go. First of all, lying in any situation is never okay and it's even worse if you're caught lying on a first date, what kind of first impression is that? I know it's not one I'd want to have. Instead, like I mentioned above, instead of lying tell your date about your goals, where you want to be in 5 years, how you see yourself growing in the future. Don't lie to make it seem like you've accomplished your life already because the truth is we're always growing and our goals are always expanding, there's no problem with that! Just be honest and you'll grow a genuine connection with an individual, that's priceless!

12 Order Salad

Order whatever you want!

I've found that many women feel the need to order something small when on a date, whether it's from nerves or because she doesn't want to come off as someone who ACTUALLY eats! Whether you find yourself under pressure to feel like you have to order the salad when you really want apps and the steak dinner, just remember that if he doesn't accept you because you actually are eating on the first date, forget him and enjoy that steak! If you ever do come across a guy that has some very old fashioned and outdated ideas that a woman should order something light for whatever excuse he has, while he enjoys an actual meal, he needs to back off and I suggest you look forward to a different date! There's no reason a man should dictate the choices we make, it's unbelievable that misogyny can even come down to what we want to eat on a first date.

11 Go Home With Him

It's so much better to be safe than sorry. When going on a first date, no matter how trustworthy he may seem, just don't go home with him yet. With all the ways we meet people online, all the dating apps and sites, it's so hard to really know the truth about someone even after a first date. He may be the most charismatic person on the planet when he meets you, but there's so much more to a person that we couldn't possibly know after a dinner! This has nothing to do with being intimate or a one night stand since that's completely your choice, it has to do with your safety and the security of the relationship you're trying to build. That last thing we'd want is for this to also turn into just a situation where he calls you whenever he wants a booty call. That's not the kind of relationship we're aiming for are we? Instead, suggest a second date so you guys can get to know each other better!

10 Moving Too Fast

Whether him or you, it's very possible to be whisked away off our feet and start thinking of the future, even if it's with someone you just met. It's very common to try and picture your life with this potential love of your life and some people don't hold back when those thoughts come to mind. Instead of keeping them quietly inside your mind, they flow out of your mouth. Most times when this happens it will make the other individual feel trapped and scared of too much commitment on so little grounds. I suggest you be careful and just enjoy the moment as it is, don't worry if it'll work out or not, just remember to have fun and to be yourself. If he brings up the future and starts to move too fast just do the same thing, suggest that you want to enjoy the moment that's happening now, it'll be a nice reminder that's not too harsh!

9 Let him Come Home With You

Similarly to what was said above, just be safe! One of the worst risks that can occur when going on first dates is letting the date know where you live. It can invite a lot of toxicity into your life if they turn out to be a not so great person. Instead of having your date pick you up to go out to dinner, suggest that you'll meet them there! It shouldn't be an issue and if it is according to your date, maybe they're not the one for you since they can't seem to understand why you rather be safe! Just text or call them and suggest your plans and take things slow. You'll find that eventually you'll be comfortable enough and have built enough trust that it's no problem when it comes to hanging out at each other's home! That will give you more of a chance to get to know each other before things progress as well!

8 Feel Pressured

You should never let someone pressure you into something that makes you uncomfortable and uneasy. Especially a first date! You've got this, you're a strong woman who knows what she wants in life and you can go out and get it. Just be sure of yourself and stay in tune with your instincts! There's nothing wrong with going out and being treated to a date, but under no circumstance should a date pressure you into anything, whether it's about the food you order to going home with him. If a date does end up trying to push something onto you, just tell him stop, stay in a public space during the date and try to talk to him about why it makes you uncomfortable. If that doesn't work, then it's time to leave, and if it's drastic ask someone in the place you're having your date, even the staff to help you get to your car or to get rid of your date since he's being aggressive. It should never some to this, but you'd be surprised at how many stories I've heard of this happening and the woman just putting up with it.

7 Be In Private

I mentioned briefly above how to stay in public during a date. While there are so many strangers out there on apps we hope to find love on, you never know who you're really going on a first date with. So please be sure to stay in a public place while on your date to make sure that your safety is the number one most important thing. Even if it's a small cafe and many people aren't visiting it, the staff will be there and that's better than being completely alone. I always tell every woman to practice her self-defense in case it's ever needed, sign up for a class this coming year and you'll feel so much better when it comes to going out on dates! You'll be able to handle yourself! That doesn't mean you should head for the nearest private corner, just be wary of your surroundings and listen to your gut.

6 Talk About Past Baggage

One of the worst things anyone can do on a first date that completely ruins the atmosphere of the whole things is, Exs! Don't be the one to ruin the buzz when you start talking about your past failed relationships. Unless it's mutually brought up on good terms, that's fine, but still, the place really shouldn't be on the first date. Not a great impression to leave the other person with. They'll just end up playing what you said on repeat in their heads until they fall asleep! Wondering if they'll be talked about to others just like the ones before them. Regardless of the number of dates, the baggage should be left behind, keep those stories private and don't let them mess with the person you're seeing. It's great to be open, but it's possible to divulge too much and that would just leave a bad taste in anyone's mouth!

5 Trust Fully

You should never trust someone when you first meet them, at least not the moment they reach out to you on whichever dating app you're using at the moment. While it's all well and good to be open to a potential boyfriend or girlfriend, keep in mind that when you first meet someone they're a complete stranger, you don't know their life, their family, or friends, you just know what they tell you. First dates should be fun and lighthearted but just remain a little bit guarded to protect yourself physically and mentally. Times aren't as they once were, we're faced with so much negativity and toxic people around us every day in real life and on the internet. Just because it's a first date where love blossoms doesn't mean it's a safe space away from all that toxic junk! If they're smart they'll be a bit guarded too, so you can build trust together.

4 Staying Quiet

If something happens this serious on a first date, you can't allow them to get away with it.

I don't care what anyone says, being taken advantage of is NOT your fault, it doesn't matter what you're wearing, how you speak, or what someone's opinion of you is, they have no right to betray that trust. If something happens that's this serious, you need to tell someone about it as soon as possible, you can't let them get away with thinking this is an okay way to treat someone. You can't let them leave that gross mark on your life, speak up and out and you'll find people who will stand behind you and help you figure everything out. Go to someone you trust and take it from there. There are so many hotlines if you take the time to google it, you'll be okay and you'll be able to move on and help others. It'll be okay.

3 Be Late

Don't be Cinderella!

Try to not be late to a date, it's one of the worst impressions you could leave someone with. Showing up a little early has even proven to help calm nerves, it allows you to get situated before they arrive! If you show up early you can scout out the place and it will help calm your nerves you can be a bit more comfortable. Scan the menu and drinks, and you won't have to worry about staring at the menu forever not even being able to read because of how nervous you are! You can do this and you'll have a fun time if you can even out your breathing! Adding stress by being late really won't help calm your nerves either! Take it one step at a time and before you know it you'll be having a blast, let your nerves go and just enjoy the moment you're spending with a great person who's now in your life!

2 Drink

Drinking while on a first date can sometimes not turn out horribly, but in most cases, it just adds to nerves and paranoia when the body is feeling so many rushes of emotion. Set down the glass and opt for a fizzy drink such as a virgin mojito instead, it'll keep you awake and bright, full of energy and in full control of how you're acting. It's a great choice if you want something light, but with a punch of flavor. Plus if you took my advice above and drove separately and met him there, you shouldn't even be thinking about having a drink! If you came in an Uber or taxi, sometimes a flute of wine is okay as long as you can handle it and not become a party animal from 0 to 100 in 5 seconds! Take the date in stride and you'll find you've had so much more fun and more memories by being sober! Plus it's always great to be able to fully remember the first date after you've been married for 30 years!

1 Get In A Car With Him

Last but not least, on the similar theme of safety, don't get in the car with him.

You don't know who you're dealing with and they don't know you either. There's no way we can truly know who we're on a date with until we get to know them better. It's a scary thought, so instead of letting it ruin a date, just be cautious and you won't have to worry about it as much. Everyone is equal and everyone deserves to be safe, especially in the dating scene. There are so many people out there that are looking to scam and emotionally take advantage of people, sometimes even worse. The least you can do is refuse to get in the car with a stranger. Suggest another date or something fun to do such as ice cream, meet them there and just enjoy the time you're spending while bonding together. When the time is right and when the trust is there, you'll know in your heart when it's okay to trust your date more.

Have fun, be careful, and be confident!