Going on a date is a trying experience for everyone. There are nerves on both sides of the table and everyone trying to figure out how to make a good impression. For us there are few things that are always bound to happen at some point on a date. We want him to like us and have this idealized view of how a good date should be. Here are 15 things that we women have done on at least one date.
1) Agonize Over the Menu
So for men looking at the menu probably consists of finding what looks good and ordering it. For us it’s no doubt that every menu option is analyzed. Is that one too expensive? If I order that cheeseburger with extra bacon and grilled cheese sandwiches instead of bread is he going to think I’m a pig? Maybe I’ll just order a salad…but then I’ll be hungry later, and I know he’ll notice if I order three slices of chocolate cake for dessert, you know to share.
2) Try and Be Stylish
On dates we look completely different than the way we do at home. If 90% of our wardrobe is jeans and Family Guy T-Shirts, we’re going to wear our one fashionable outfit or go shopping for at least the first date. We’ll go to that makeup store in the mall and get tips on how to actually apply that stuff with the brush and look our best. Even for women who are typically stylish there’s a desire to do just a little bit better for a date.
3) Worry About What to Say
For some dates the comfort and ease of conversation comes easy. But for others there is a thin line between what to say and what topics are off limits. We all know not to talk about exes or sob stories and yet is it too much to reveal your boy band obsession or the fact that you own 8 cats? Will he find my job boring or does he think I talk too much?
4)Look For Clues
If it’s still early in the relationship we’re judging everything, even if we told ourselves we’re going to keep an open mind this time we’re looking for things to judge. Did he wash his hair? Does he talk nicely about his family? Did he talk too much about his mother? We want someone we’re compatible with and won’t give us more drama than we need, so at least once we’ve all hunted for some clues to our date’s personality.
5) Try to Avoid Silence
Silence is awkward, it’s almost as awkward as talking about your ex-boyfriend’s prowess in bed in order to fill the silence. On dates it always feels like everyone around you is talking and having a great time and then we’re sitting in silence, makes the date feel like a failure. So we try and fill that silence, sometimes with things that make the silence infinitely better by comparison.
