Choosing the location of your first date is a decision not to be taken lightly. It could be the deciding factor that either gets you a second date or no reply to your post-date texts. If you’re meeting someone for the first time from an online dating site it’s even more crucial to get the venue right. This will form a huge part of their first impression of you in the flesh. Here are a few pointers for what to do and what really not to do for this first date…

Do!

Choose from what you know…

Start by examining all of the evidence – previous communications, their online dating profile – any information you can get your hands on. Whether it’s the fact that they’re a single Muslim or they like ice skating, any small detail could give you some great ideas for where to set your first romantic tryst. On the day they will be pleasantly surprised and flattered that you’ve remembered their interest.

Stay on neutral ground…

If there’s not much to go on in your communications, just settle for neutral surroundings to play it safe. This could be a restaurant with a varied menu or a popular all-rounder at the cinema. Better yet, ask them in advance if they have a preference of film or restaurant and go along with their choice.

Don’t!

Go too far…

It’s all too easy to put people off at the beginning of a relationship. Being too extravagant is a sure way of doing this. Planning a trip to their favourite band’s concert or a ride in a hot air balloon could definitely scare someone off. Don’t spend too much money, don’t be too romantic and try to keep the whole evening nice and casual.

Involve anyone else…

Introducing your date to other people is simply not appropriate the first couple of times you meet them. Avoid family events or gatherings, as well as double dates or events involving friends. The evening should be about the two of you getting to know each other. Anyone else would get in the way and consequently cause a certain amount of awkwardness.

Choose for you, not them…

Don’t autocratically pick a date that you alone would enjoy. That monster truck rally, that hockey match or that experimental play might not be what they want to watch, even if you know you’ll enjoy it. Use the information you have from the dating websites to make a fair decision based on both of your interests.

Don’t turn that first date into disaster. It’s easy to choose a perfectly suitable location; you just need to be considerate, do a bit of research and avoid over-doing anything.