The First Date
No matter how this has come to pass, either through a blind date, a friend/family/co-worker setting you up, or your active and diligent vetting of potential candidates from a dating site...
Oh Plenty Of Harmony, you're a life (and relationship) saver
You are now involved. Everyone knows that the first impression is always the lasting and generally the most important one so of course there will be a slight bit of pressure, possibly a little nervous butterfly fluttering in your stomach?
I'm so nervous that I just gnawed off my fingers. This is like a bad Saw movie!
Well, gentle reader, I am here to help! As a weatherer of many a first date storm, I have picked up on a few handy pointers and ideas to help make the experience a more enjoyable one.
Ultimately that first date will be dictated by how you present yourself and the confidence you put forth... So on that note, let us start from the start, shall we?
The General Stuff -
If this hasn't happened yet then the first thing to do is reach out to your co-dater. Phone is preferred as it gives you a voice to attach to the face you may have only seen via dating site, social media, or pushy sisters camera phone as she excitedly babbles about how you will be sooooooo good for each other!
Slow down, sis. There is work yet to do.
Texting works as well but lacks a bit of that personal touch. Some people prefer the safety of a phone screen as well so that will be left up to the individual. If the option arises, talk to them. It will help set the stage.
And be confident. On the phone call, in person, all the time. Confidence is key. Fake it till you make it if you must but certainly try. It will help you and it will impress them. 
Johnny Bravo. The most confident guy I know. Take notes
What to do?!?
Yes. The first date really shouldn't be too aggressive because as much fun as skydiving together on a first date actually is, it's hard to have a conversation when plummeting to earth at 'way-too-fast' km's per hour
Worst. Date. Ever.
Generally speaking, you want a neutral and relaxed location. My first date has always been a coffee at a mutually convenient location. My argument for such simple starts? If the date is going badly, you know that the obligation is only about an hour before coffee is done and you can part ways, none the worse for wear. If things go well, then you are set in a place where conversation is the key. First dates are what they are; awkward, nerve wracking, sometimes painful affairs where you try to figure one another out, get a sense of rightness or if you're possibly just not feeling it.
Other options are dinner, a walk along the river/lake/ocean/highway or whatever happens to be available. Sometimes just strolling through nice neighbourhoods in your town with pleasant company is all that is required. The key is that most of these ideas will be focused on conversation and quality time.
Going to a movie together... Maybe save that for date three or four. Sitting in a dark room together and not getting to know one another in the least doesn't strike me as the best way to go. Once the groundwork has been laid though, a movie is a great date and then dinner or coffee or a drive for ice cream or whatever is a great way to talk about the show and keep building bridges together.
Building bridges, not burning them. Must remember!
For the Lads!
Alright guys, there are some fundamentals that will sometimes fall along the wayside that should be addressed. These common errors can (and probably will) ruin your chances at a successful first date, and the hope of future dates, so pay attention.
*ladies, feel free to read through this, there are no real secrets here
-Women love presentation so make sure you are cleaned up, look nice, smell nice, and try to be early. Scratch that. Make SURE you're early.
-Do compliment your date on her looks and attire. Chances are they worked their ass off and stressed mightily to give you their best showing, so show appreciation.
-Hold doors open, settle her in her seat, be old fashioned. It's respectable and it gets noticed.
-Do NOT rubberneck! It's disrespectful, and really classless. Focus on the person in front of you. Worst case scenario, it's an hour of your day, best case scenario, it's the start of a promising new adventure for you both.
-Listen! Use your ears and pay attention! Your co-dater will appreciate and warm up to you if you show that you were indeed paying attention to her story about how Fluffkins was an award winning show cat, when you notice a book on prize cats and ask what Fluffkins looked like.
-Engage! Alright guys, I know... It's usually easier to let the other party do most of the talking and because they are just as nervous as you, they may indeed chatter but be engaged in the conversations, add input and ask questions. It shows attentiveness and listening skills.
-lastly... Smile. Laugh. Have a good time with it. The nerves will pass, I promise you. Once you try talking about your award winning dog and his funny antics things will go smoothly...
For the ladies!
A few words before I give you a few pointers from the 'manview'. Most guys are terrified going into that first date. We try to play cool but we all know that rejection sucks and since you amazing women are the fairer sex and tend to be overall classier than us fellows, if rejection is imminent... Be gentle. We always appreciate an easy let down and I have shamelessly stolen that virtue from my own experiences with classy women who weren't interested. Our egos thank you!
Now, let's do this!
-Be confident! Hah, surprised?! Guys really like a woman who knows what she wants. Maybe you aren't completely sure of things in life but knowing what you want for dinner or a place to go to for a date is great! Self confidence is sexy to most men.
-Notice and compliment. If he has a tattoo, ask about it. If it's awful, say nothing, if it's awesome, then say so...
-Take an interest in his hobbies. Yeah sometimes they are stupid and tedious and dangerous but that's part of what makes them who they are. More power to you if you happen to already know a bit about the newest Dungeons and Dragons edition rule books
-Don't flirt. Correction, don't flirt with others. No one really likes that feeling. If you like your date, flirt, by all means! Some people are naturally flirty, and I understand that, but we can tame it for an hour out of respect for a co-dater who may take unintended offence.
-Have fun! Enjoy the hour (or more if things go well) and have a positive experience to the best of your abilities. Worst case scenario, its a lesson learned on what you want or don't want, best case being a next date.
So you see, gentle readers, that my advice is similar for both parties simply because we are all people who want to be liked and cared for and to be treated with dignity and respect. We also want to have some laughs and make some good memories, because really, who doesn't want that? We are a weird bunch and the things that excite us vary so wildly that all you can do is hang on and enjoy the ride. Remember. A one hour coffee date in a well lit and populated environment. What could possibly go wrong?
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