First Date Turn-offs

June 28, 2012

For National Etiquette Week back in May (who knew there was such a thing?), the dating site HowAboutWe reported on the “Top 10 Worst First Date No-Nos,” and what they found was spot-on. And as you’ll see in a recent News Channel 8 segment, I agree with all of them.

1. Having your phone out or texting
It doesn’t get worse than this. Nothing screams “I’m waiting for something better to come up” than a cell phone on the table waiting to be answered. A corollary to this one is actually answering your phone on the date. Try (as hard as it may be) to put your phone in your bag or your pocket for the entirety of the date.

2. First date sex
For men, it makes you look like you only want one thing (and maybe you do). For women, it makes you look easy.

3. Talking about your ex
If you say nice things about your ex, it looks like you’re still not over him/her. And if you say bad things, it looks like you’re still not over him/her and you’re bitter. Lose, lose. Plus, people don’t want to feel like they are being compared to someone else on the first date (or ever, for that matter).

4. Being late (more than 15 minutes)
People run late – it happens. But if it does, please call to let your date know before the start of the date. Texting is insufficient.

5. Being rude (to a server)
No snapping your fingers, no yelling for the waiter or waitress, and no treating the servers like second-class citizens. Red flag!

6. Drinking too much
People have a tendency to divulge secrets or commit dating no-no #2 (or likely both) when too much alcohol is involved. Don’t let it be you.

7. Splitting the bill or letting the woman pay
You remember the game of “pick-up check.” The guy should pay on a first date. Whether you like each other or not, it’s still a date after all, and chivalry is not dead.

8. Work talk
It’s certainly ok to discuss work, but not for the entire date, especially if you don’t like your job.

9. Mother talk
Leave your mom out of the date. Especially for men, it may make you look like a bit of a mama’s boy.

10. Talking about marriage
Great – you like each other! The last thing you want to do is to bring up marriage and scare the other person away. (The same goes for talking about, or naming, your future children.)

A few others from the report were:
– Bad breath
– Not tipping well
– Talking about yourself too much
– Being “fake” or not being yourself
– Smoking

Are there any others you’d add to the list?

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