You're probably here at Datepad, and maybe visit a few other free internet dating sites, because you care about finding that special somebody. You want to attract romance, not repel it. But some people --girls, too, but especially guys-- put on "romance repellant" when they leave for a date without even knowing they're doing it. Often without knowing why, these people see their dates turn tail and run time and time again.
Fortunately, most "romance repellant" problems are easy to fix. You just have to know what you're doing wrong. Read on for some of the most repellant things both guys and girls do on a date... most of which they may not even be aware of.
1. Toss on a dirty t-shirt
Wearing dirty, grungy clothes on a date is a sure-fire way to make your date want to, well, leave. But you don't even have to go that far. Want to make your date immediately wish they were on another planet? Dress like you were going to watch a football game with the guys or hang out on the sofa and play Medal of Honor or something.
2. Arrive stinky
There are a couple of ways to stink out your date when you arrive. One is to, of course, not shower. And not wear deodorant. And not change out of your sweaty day clothes. (Greasy, unwashed hair is a bonus.) Another is to arrive to your date so slathered in cologne or perfume that he or she can't breathe (girls, you're guilty of this one, too!). It's one thing to be clean for a date... but it's another thing to stop smelling like a human and start smelling like an ad for Cool Water.
3. You, you, and only you
If you're anything like me, you get nervous on a date and you tend to babble. If you're meeting somebody in person for the first time after having met them on an internet dating site, resist the urge to talk only about yourself. Sure, it'll relieve any awkward silences... but it won't make you date feel overly excited about seeing you again.
4. Go negative
We all have things in life that we want to complain about. How annoying some people we meet on internet dating sites are, for instance. Or how our boss treats us like something he found on the bottom of his shoe. But speaking about negative things on a first date isn't going to fill your date with positive feelings about you.
It's even worse if what you're most negative about is your past relationships. If you go on and on about the bad things that "all" people of the opposite sex do, you're not going to have a great chance with the particular person of the opposite sex you're sitting across from. Opening up too much about your past romantic failures will only make you look like a person with too much baggage... and like somebody not worth getting involved with.
5. Open up Pandora's Box
It's important to be honest and open on the first date. You want to make sure that people know who you are, and that you're not intentionally hiding the important things in your life. But there's is such a thing as creating a good first impression. There are lots of things that you don't necessarily want to disclose on a first date, including your political affiliations, your awful relationship with your father, and your sexual health history. Once they're out, there are some things that you won't be able to take back.
6. Get hammered
Having a drink or two can be a great way to help loosen you up. A cocktail is a good way to get relaxed and be able to open up to your date. But one cocktail too many is a good way to make your date never want to see you again. If you get drunk and sloppy, you're not going to get a second date... especially if you also get loud, you get obnoxious, and you wrap up the evening by throwing up on your date's new shoes.
7. Assume they'll pay
Most times on a date, the man expects (and often wants) to be the one to pay. But no matter your sex, assuming that the person you're seeing will pay your half of the bill is the quickest way to come off as a selfish jerk. And "searching for that perfect selfish jerk" is not a byline you find on many internet dating profiles, is it?
