Going on a date with a person you barely know is unpredictable, so you are probably afraid of accidentally making an awkward situation. What if I told you that you can avoid that? Even if you don't know a person well, if you prepare yourself before the date and work on your confidence, you will be just fine. That's why you need to know how not to be awkward on a date. These 8 pieces of advice presented below can be of help in any kind of situation, and with all types of people, so they are bound to teach you how to make a first date not awkward. Don't worry, and just keep reading.
1. Wear comfortable and simple clothes
This is a very important thing. You shouldn't wear anything that might induce pain (such as uncomfortable heels or shoes). Even if you just want to go out and grab a coffee, you still have to walk somewhere to get it, and it might be awkward if you start limping due to pain or something like that. Also, uncomfortable clothes that are too tight will also make you focus on the pain, instead of listening to them. That's why simple clothes are the best option. You will look modest, and you will actually look like you have put no effort at all, and you still look stunning. All you need is a really good perfume and you will be fine. Apart from that, clothes that are too fancy for a simple occasion are awkward, so don't put too much effort into looking like a celebrity.
2. Plan an activity date
This will show your date that you are thoughtful and that you really care about them. Ask them what they like or where they would like to go, or just suggest some kind of an activity date, such as going to the cinema or visiting an art exhibition. This is good because you can demonstrate to them how creative you are and that you have a lot of interests. Personality traits are way more important than looks, so try to amaze them with a very interesting activity date idea. However, surprising a person you barely know is not a good idea, because you still don't know if they will like it or not, so it's best to discuss it first. If you still want that element of surprise, then you can think of several date options and allow them to choose which one they like the most. It will tell you about their personality as well.
3. Don't talk only about yourself
If you really don't have this problem, then great. But a vast majority of people subconsciously talk about themselves too much. They just wait for the other person to finish so they can start talking about their seemingly more fascinating stories. If almost every sentence starts with an "I", you might do this, too. That's why you should keep this in mind when you go on your first date. If someone speaks about something important, ask them more about it. Ask questions or make comments, instead of starting your own story. Also, talking only about yourself is quite impolite, so try to avoid it as much as you can, because you might leave a bad impression.
4. Put your phone away
There is a really important rule when it comes to dating: leave your phone! It's rude and it will seem to the other person that you are bored with them. It's okay to apologize and answer an important call or to reply to a message but do this only if it is really necessary. Even if you get bored on the date, don't touch your phone. The person will feel bad for sure, and you then you will have to break the awkward silence once you've finished scrolling on your phone. Therefore, no matter what happens, engage in the conversation, be completely focused on what they are saying, and you will be fine.
5. Listen with curiosity and ask questions
Being a great listener is a rarity, and you should practice it. You will amaze almost every person if they realize that you have devoted your full attention to them. Also, how to get to know a person if you don't listen to them? Ask them about what they like, what kind of music they listen to, their future plans, and so on. Only then will you be able to realize if that person is a good fit for you or not. Of course, you can talk about yourself as well, because they will probably ask questions about you, too. That's how you will actually get to know each other. Don't ask questions that are too personal, though. You might make an awkward situation if the person doesn't actually want to give you an answer.
6. Avoid sensitive topics
Try to avoid talking about sensitive topics, such as religion, nationalities, eating habits, or family issues. Even If you have strong opinions and claims, it's better not to mention anything bad or harsh about anyone or anything. For example, if you are an atheist, don't mention what you think about religion. They might be very religious and you might even insult them with your statements. Great discussions about these topics are possible, though, but make sure you don't say anything insulting. That's why it's better to avoid such topics. You can always talk about art, knowledge, traveling, upcoming events, and so on.
7. Don't talk too much or too little
Talking too much (some people tend to talk more due to nervousness and anxiety) can be really tedious, and talking too little will force the other person to pull the words out of you and make a potentially awkward silence. You don't want that to happen. If you are afraid that you won't know what to say at some point, prepare some topics in advance and just change the topic or start a new one. You can have some interesting questions up your sleeve. But truth be told, the only thing you need to do is relax. Then, everything will fall into place on its own, and you won't have to force the conversation.
8. Avoid confiding in them
How to not be awkward on a date? Just avoid talking about your problems. Talking about your personal issues can be really awkward to someone else, even if you're completely comfortable about it. Even if something really bothers you, keep it to yourself. They are the person you don't know well, so asking for advice from them is not so wise anyway. If you need help, you can always talk to a professional.
Summary
If you really want to know how not to be awkward on a date, then keep these tips in mind, and you won't have to worry about awkward dates. And don't forget to be positive, confident, and to smile a lot!