Tips to help you on a FIRST DATE

TIP #1: PUT UP A CONFIDENT BODY LANGUAGE

First dates can be nerve-racking for the sheer fact that you don't always know what to expect. However, there are a few tricks to looking confident even when you're quaking in your heels. First, maintain eye contact throughout your conversation (but don't over-do it; it's not a staring contest!) If you feel your voice becoming shaky, stop for a moment and take a deep breath before you resume speaking. Also, watch for any nervous behaviors like tapping your fingers on the table or shaking your foot. Besides potentially annoying your date, they are dead giveaways that you're anxious. When all else fails, acknowledge the elephant in the room and admit you are excited to be there, but feeling a little jittery. (He's probably nervous too

TIP #2: NEVER BE A JUKEBOX

Sometimes we get so wrapped up in wanting our date to like us that we forget that we're supposed to be evaluating his/her potential as well. Counteract this and avoid talking too much by asking him fun, insightful questions that will helpfully reveal what he's passionate about. Some ideas to jump-start the conversation: Do you have any siblings? How about pets? Where has been your favorite place to travel to? Have you read any good books or seen any films recently? Don't forget to follow-up on what he's saying if anything in particular catches your interest

TIP #3: KEEP YOUR ANSWERS CONCISE AND UPBEAT

On a first date, you both are just getting to know one another, so it's best to accentuate the positive, as the saying goes. For example, if you're currently unemployed (which is understandable in this Nigerian economy) and he asks you what you do for a living, just mention that you're currently between jobs and looking. Don't go on and on about what an idiot your former boss was and how unfair it was that they laid you off. You risk turning him/her off and giving him the impression that you're a high-drama person, even if you're not.