Date Night: Fab First Dates

Stuck in a first-impression rut? Tongue-tied and sweaty-palmed at a table for two? Relationship coach Kathy Dawson, author of Cleveland Couples, provides three tips for bringing the fun and flirty back into your dating life. 

Tell a Story
Drilling your date with a round of Qs-and-As can make it feel more like an interview than a fun night out. Ditch the resume and tell an upbeat and light story about your past or your week. You’ll be surprised to see the common ground you share with your date. “Life is about stories,” Dawson says. “It’s a more comfortable and natural way to say who you are and get to know a person.”

Wear Something Comfortable
While Dawson doesn’t give you the go-ahead to wear joggers and sneakers on the first date, she recommends something breathable and confidence-boosting. It’s easier to get to know someone when you don’t have 5 inches of worry on your feet. “You are going to already feel a little uncomfortable,” Dawson cautions. “For goodness sakes, you don’t want to worry about the tight pants you are wearing.”

Take the Date Beyond the Table
Dawson’s perfect date recipe: half activity, half talking time. Go skating then grab a cup of coffee afterward. The activity will get rid of the nerves and provide easy talking material if the convo runs dry. “If you spend the whole time across the table, it’s anxiety producing,” Dawson explains. “Doing some sort of activity gives you the opportunity to see the other person do something and how they react in the environment.”