While setting up a first date is relatively simple, ensuring it progresses into a second is a little more challenging.
So, in a bid to help singles take their potential relationships to the next level, Australian relationship expert and matchmaker, Louanne Ward, has shared some of her top tips.
Here, FEMAIL looks at Louanne’s six top tips for scoring a second date and the habits to avoid to ensure date one is a success.
In a bid to help singles take their potential relationships to the next level, Australian relationship expert and matchmaker, Louanne Ward, has shared some of her top tips
1. ARRIVE ON TIME
While it may sound simple, being late is one of the most frowned upon things one can do on a first date.
‘You need to arrive on time,’ Louanne said.
‘I know it sounds very basic but on a survey I conducted, the most important thing for people was someone who was on time.
‘I was really shocked to hear that actually.’
While it may sound simple, being late is one of the most frowned upon things one can do on a first date
2. LOOK THE PART
While it’s all well and good to turn up on time, turning up looking like you’ve made no effort with your appearance is equally as bad.
‘Look the part, go to the effort,’ Louanne said.
‘You never get a second chance to make a first impression and if your first impression says “I don’t really care” then you are unlikely to get a second date.
‘There’s no such thing as too much effort. I am not suggesting to go and wear a cocktail dress to play mini golf but make an effort!’
While it’s all well and good to turn up on time, turning up looking like you’ve made no effort with your appearance is equally as bad
3. ASK QUALITY QUESTIONS
‘When you are on a date don’t just ask how their day was,’ Louanne said.
‘You can, however, ask them to tell you about their day and then you have a conversation going.
‘Quality questions are things like “Tell me the best advice your grandfather ever gave you”. Now when you ask a question like that someone has to go into their past and look at something that’s nostalgic and happy and you are creating an emotional connection.’
‘When you are on a date don’t just ask how their day was,’ Louanne said
4. DON’T TALK ABOUT BAD DATES
This, Louanne explained, is one of the worst things you can do on a first date.
‘I think everybody thinks it’s really cool to say “I had a really bad date and this is what happened to me” – don’t talk about it,’ she said.
‘People don’t want to know. When you bring negativity into a first date it’s very difficult to get back onto positive ground.
‘You need to learn to “block and bridge” awkward questions. If somebody says “How are you finding dating?” you just say “You know what, I am happy to share any of that with you but tonight I’d really like to get to know you and what you are about rather than talk about my previous experiences”.
‘Block the question and bridge it to another question.’
‘I think everybody thinks it’s really cool to say “I had a really bad date and this is what happens to me” – don’t talk about it,’ she said
5. OFFER TO PAY
According to Louanne, if singles want a second date, both parties should be offering to pay for the first.
‘Don’t offer to pay if you are not sincere, but girls, the man shouldn’t have to pay for you,’ she said.
‘If he wants to, that’s fine, but you offering to pay… you’ve just elevated yourself in his eyes whether he takes it or doesn’t.
‘You are strangers. No one should have an expectation that only one person is going to pay so offer to pay.’
According to Louanne, if singles want a second date, both parties should be offering to pay for the first
6. SET UP THE SECOND DATE DURING THE FIRST DATE
‘Set the tone for the first date,’ Louanne said.
‘Whether you are at a tapas bar or a sushi bar, you can always say something like “Have you had sushi at Miss Chow’s? I will take you there next time”.
‘If you plant this little seed, you don’t have to get to the end of the date and say something awkward like “Hey should we do this again”.
‘That is awkward because your expectation is that you will get an answer that’s favourable and then the rejection creeps in whereas if you have made the suggestion you can call or text the person and say “What night suits you better?”
‘When you are setting up the second date you are showing confidence and showing intention.’