First Dates, The Angst

The beads of sweat continue to form on my brow, dripping irritatingly onto my keyboard, making typing mighty slippery, as I contemplate my first date on Saturday. After months of talking on the phone and emailing, and a long six week wait until the actual date, I’ve now got myself in such a state of anticipation I can’t seem to keep my thoughts straight. Well, they were never very straight to begin with. So, for some help, I thought I’d check around to see if I have all my bases covered and remember how to do this whole thing--I found some help--but of course. A little refresher, as it were. I have intentions of making flashcards and having Ben quiz me until Saturday.

Be creative.
Take a little time to think it through. A three-hour date with a movie that lasts two and a half-hours is not a good way to get acquainted. Then again, you don't want to be stuck staring at each other without a topic of conversation. A daytime meeting takes the heat off. Okay, we have this one covered. A daytime basketball game. Perfect. I’m more worried about transporting my date from the airport to breakfast without making some kind of crazy driving maneuver like 4-wheeling up the sidewalk after unsuspecting pedestrians when I don’t have a 4WD, due to my anticipatory state. Don’t want to have her hopping out of the car at the first stop light (not that I’d stop anyway) to catch the next plane back.

Plenty of topics for discussion without having to deal with issues like: "What happened to your last relationship?" So, it probably wouldn’t be appropriate to counter with, "Which one?"

And you can avoid the usual casual chit-chat like:

 

"My wife is still missing."
"I met my first girlfriend on the prison bus."
"Last night when the cops were at my house…"
"Are you wearing any underwear?"
"So, where is the nearest U-Haul Center to your house?"

ClothingClothing is not optional. Like that was necessary to tell my big, white, middle-aged butt—I gotta live in this town. Wear clothes that make you feel good. New clothes are nice, but always be clean and pressed, unless that’s not your style. Note to self, retro brown leisure suit is out.

Manners and/or KindnessThank the other person for the date - always, without exception.
Human kindness. That sort of thing is always in style.
Focus on the Other Person - pay attention to your date.
No wandering eyes. No preoccupation with old relationships, work, bank robberies.
Listen actively to what your date says.
Don't interrupt.
Don't complain on a first date.
If your date gets smashed on your first date, it's probably because they have a problem, at best. And, they could end up drooling on your new, pressed clothes as you shovel him or her into a cab.

Okay, no picking my nose, cranking my neck to check out the buffet, or chattering inanely any more than usual. Got it. Somehow, I don't feel any better.

First date countdown: 39.25 hours
Anticipated hours of sleep between now and then: 6Now, what to wear?

Adjusted anticipated hours of sleep between now and then: 2

Published on: Jun 16, 2006