THE FIVE BIGGEST MISTAKES YOU CAN MAKE ON A FIRST DATE

Dating and getting into relationships are often much harder than they look, even when both parties want to make things work. Sometimes, the little things can make or break a relationship, and it's not always easy to spot them until it's too late. This article will help you determine which mistakes to avoid if you want your first date to lead to something more serious.

Have low expectations

Don't think too much about it if you're not sure why you're going out with someone. Going into a date with low expectations can be helpful if you fear that otherwise, you'll negatively judge yourself or your partner. It can also stop self-destructive thoughts from creeping in. Why am I going out with someone who doesn't deserve me? or He/she probably won't like me anyway. What was I thinking? Instead of allowing these destructive thoughts to spiral out of control, just focus on having fun and relaxing—the rest will come naturally if you allow it to.

Don't get weighed down by the past

The past is out of your control, so focus on what you can do in the present. If you're still recovering from heartbreak or a bad breakup, don't let those feelings cast shadows over your first date. Instead, practice self-love and confidence by focusing all your attention and intentions on finding someone new. Remember: everything happens for a reason! And if things don't work out with one person, it doesn't mean that there aren't plenty more where they came from. So put yourself out there—and be open to finding love again.

Buy them flowers

Believe it or not, people who receive flowers are perceived as more attractive and interesting than those who don't. If you want to impress someone and make them fall in love with you, grab some flowers at your local flower shop. Just remember that roses are for lovers! Nothing says I like you like roses, but avoid giving red roses unless you want to send a message of romantic interest. Red roses usually indicate passion and lust; white roses mean pure love; yellow roses mean friendship; orange means admiration; pink means affection; purple represents royalty.

If you don't know what to say, ask questions

Let's face it: On your first date, you won't know enough about each other to make most standard conversation topics feel natural. (What do you like to do in your free time?) What should you say instead? Ask questions! Open-ended questions give you and your date ample room to talk about yourself and share your personality, which makes dating fun. Questions like Where are you from? How did you get into that line of work? These are some of the easy ways to start an interesting conversation.

Show up early

Even if you're not nervous, it's only polite to show up early. After all, your date will have to wait around for you, and you should always avoid making people wait for any reason—it's inconsiderate. The worst thing about arriving late is that you don't respect your date. And let's be honest: If you can't be bothered to show up on time, why would they think you care about them? Not showing up is even worse; if something comes up (as things do), call and reschedule as soon as possible. It shows consideration, which will earn you major points in your date's book.