Gentleman’s recommended behaviour for the 10 most common first date missteps

Delicate anecdotes, quirky behaviour or the misuse of the smartphone, are only three of the numerous missteps lurk people tend to do on a first date.

Here are the 10 most common missteps men tend to do on a first date and the recommended behaviour according to a Gentleman code of conduct.

1. Choosing the wrong place
   As a rule, the place already decides the course of the date, and it also lets you know your own motivation, consciously or unconsciously. Those who suggest their own four walls for the first date sometimes risk premature excess of confidentiality. On the other hand, a public place on neutral terrain, such as a café, restaurant or an exhibition, is better suited.
2. Unpunctuality
   As banal as it may sound, punctuality is a must-be, crucial and essential. A gentleman doesn’t keep his date waiting. However, if the “always surprising” rush hour traffic, leads to a delay, prevent and apology should be carefully considered.
3. Sloppy appearance
   A sloppy appearance is a sure love killer. Women usually prepare meticulously for a rendezvous. Man should pay the same attention to his appearance. Absolute no-goes on the first and all subsequent dates are dirty fingernails, oily hair, sweat and bad breath, dirty clothes or shoes and – the classic – clearly visible nose hair.
4. The ex-wife & mom
   On the first date, the focus is on your date, not on the ex-husband. There will be enough time for everything else later. The same also applies to Dear Ms. Mama – a sense of family is all well and good, but extensive anecdotes about your own mother inevitably raise the question of who is actually in charge of you.
5. Cell phones
   Smartphones and similar are omnipresent. If you pay more attention to your cell phone than to your date, you shouldn’t be surprised if the lady interest quickly disappears. The cell phone should be set to silent during the entire moment – it is best to leave it completely in your pocket.
6. Excessive alcohol consumption
   There is absolutely nothing wrong with a glass of wine, after all, most of the first dates traditionally take place in restaurants. But in order to avoid embarrassing slip-ups, drink smartly and consciously, you and your date will be pleasured with the result. And remember, a Gentleman doesn’t need alcohol to show confidence. A true Gentleman is a charismatic person and this reveals a level of confidence that is extremely attractive.
7. “Macho” behaviour
   During a first date, almost everyone is excited, unless you are an expert and this is your 100 date… However, you shouldn’t hide your own nervousness by staging yourself. Be natural and open, that still works best. The dogma that “woman like bad boys” is a paradox of reality, a Lady truly appreciates a Gentleman and run away from “Macho” men.
8. Conversations with awkward silences
   Avoid compliments that could have sprung from the script of a soap opera look trite and artificial. If the conversation comes to a standstill, the conversation can be started again by an interested inquiry. Safe topics of conversation are, for example, interesting travel destinations, your job (without overdoing it) or an opinion about the last movie you saw.
9. Food commentaries
   “Are you gonna eat all of that?”. Even if the only thing that matters to you is the well-being of your date, such a remark may throw your rendezvous on a hunger strike. Whatever your date should order, a Gentleman never discuss the amount of the meal. Instead, he compliments her choice and says “enjoy your delicious meal”.
10. Pettiness when paying the bill
    Although, nowadays, paying the bill is no longer a (pure) man’s business, on a first date, dividing the costs down is not a solution: “I only had the pasta and the salad. You pay the rest!” A Gentleman always offers the Lady to take over the bill. If the companion is shy about the purse that is drawn out, you can also suggest leaving her to pay for the cocktail that follows, provided there is a mutual interest in a sequel.