FOR THE GUYS:
GOLDEN RULES FOR THE FIRST DATE
© P.C. Kurp

Throughout earlier years in a dating career, many would go out with almost anyone who passed minimal appearance requirements. Think back: It was one way to get out of the house, it was fun, something new and different.

If suffering from a degree of date burnout, it may take much more to pry someone off the couch. As time passes, many are much more selective and only able to summon up enough energy to date someone who rouses a definite, strong interest--or the occasional date to dispel rumors.

Webster defines a date as: "An appointment for a set time, especially one for a social engagement with a person of the opposite sex." Webster failed to mention the likelihood of a dual examination, where participants try too hard to impress or survive a date without catastrophes or casualties.

First Date Golden Rules for the Man

The following suggestions to a man can make the difference between a memorable, average or forgettable first date.

#1: Call before leaving to pick up a date.
This is a very nice touch, as it enables a woman to know exactly how much time is left to apply additional mascara, scrub toilets or pluck facial hair--not necessarily in that order.

#2: Bring something to the door.
To arrive with something is a sure sign of good breeding, whether flowers, candy, card, main entree, dessert, palm tree, nice bottle of wine or champagne, VISA card, kitten, bag of groceries or winning lottery ticket.

#3: Have a plan.
Most women appreciate a decisive man with an idea or two for the date. "Uh, what would you like to do?" is not usually what a woman hopes to hear from a man once he arrives at the door, as it can be interpreted as wishy-washiness, unpreparedness, laziness, irresponsibility or a lack of concern, effort or excitement about the date.

#4: Offer two or three meal/date choices.
This is extremely rare and in very good form, as it provides the illusion of a team effort, while still leaving much of the planning to the man. For example, three suggestions for dinner offered could include McDonald?s, Burger King or Taco Bell.

#5: Try to refrain from looking at other women.
If another woman should walk by who is drop-dead gorgeous and impossible not to gaze upon - and if a pleasant, non-life-threatening evening is important--avoid getting busted while checking her out. Blinders to provide assistance are obtainable at most feed and grain stores.

#6: Be a gentleman.
A woman appreciates small gestures--doors opened, concern over the height of heels before suggesting a walk, escort to the door at the end of the date, dinner jackets thrown over mud puddles and no unwanted or uninvited groping and fondling.

#7: Don?t try to create an immediate illusion of intimacy.
To bypass the normal preliminaries required prior to physical intimacy, some men choose to deliver lines, discuss marriage, raising a family, old-fashioned values or the "relationship" in a future context.

#8: Try to maintain a good sense of humor.
For most women, this is a big one. Make a woman laugh and the battle is half won.

#9: Don?t be afraid to leave a decent tip. Many women notice the amount of money a man leaves as a tip. This does not necessarily mean a woman calculates how generous a man might be with her in the future, but a four-bit tip on a $9.50 bar tab may speak volumes, especially if her background includes a stint in food or beverage service.

#10: Don?t promise to call again unless planning to follow through.
The way out of this is to say, "Thank you--maybe we can do this again some time," the operative word being maybe. This is a polite and non-committal alternative to making false promises.

An attempt to follow these suggestions can assist to successfully make it through the initial screening process.