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It’s a match! After hours of flirty messages, you finally set up a date with the person you met on Bumble. You’re excited to meet on Friday but nervous you won’t live up to your profile.
Stop stressing. With a good attitude and a little prep, you can make a strong impression on a first date. So set your nerves aside, and check out these essential tips on becoming a bragworthy Bumble date.
1. Look Good, Smell Better
First impressions matter when it comes to dating and just about everything else in life. Failing to put your best foot forward risks losing the opportunity to meet up again. You’ve likely already searched your closet for the perfect outfit. But have you thought about how you’ll smell?
Smell has the power to evoke feelings of desire or disgust. When your dates catch your scent, you want them to be more attracted to you, not less. However, dousing yourself in cologne can come across as too strong and irritate the noses of everyone around you. Instead, try washing your clothes with scented laundry pods. This will help you smell great without seeming like you just walked through the cosmetics section at Macy’s.
2. Say Their Name
Obviously, it’s important to remember your date’s name. But it’s just as important to say their name a couple of times throughout the date. When people hear their name, it not only makes them feel good but also grabs their attention. MRI scans have found that our brains respond positively to our names, indicating that they’re a huge part of our identity.
On the flip side, saying someone’s name too often sounds forced, clunky, and just generally odd. If you’re unsure how to use your date’s name without sounding awkward, simply save this tip for the greeting and goodbye. As you get more comfortable with a person, it may feel more natural to use their name throughout the conversation.
3. Wear Black or Red
Before a first date, many people try on dozens of different outfits before settling on one they’ll wear. You may think that you’ve chosen the perfect look, but did you take the time to consider the color of your shirt?
If you want to appear more sexually desirable, science suggests wearing red. But if red isn’t your color, black is another great option. The color black is associated with confidence, intelligence, and sexiness. So when in doubt, throw on a pair of jeans and a nice black sweater.
4. Make Your Intentions Known
You don’t need to discuss your dream wedding or how many kids you want on the first date. But it’s important to be open and honest about what you’re looking for. If you’re on the hunt for a casual fling, that’s cool. But you don’t want to waste your date’s time if they’re hoping to find a long-term relationship.
It can feel intimidating to bring up your intentions when you’re just getting to know someone. But it’s better to share that information upfront than a couple of dates in. After all, neither of you wants to be with someone who isn’t a good match.
5. Reference Their Profile
There’s nothing worse than sitting at the bar as you and your date suffer through an awkward patch of silence. These experiences can make first dates feel uncomfortable and reduce the likelihood of landing a second one. To prevent the conversation from going stale, prep a few talking points beforehand.
A great way to explore your date’s interests is by discussing something you saw in their profile. Maybe they love to rock climb or recently got back from Paris. Asking them about these experiences shows that you’re curious about their interests. It also keeps you from running out of things to talk about.
6. Suggest Plans
You and your date have talked for hours. You can’t believe it’s going this well, and you’d really like to get together again. Oftentimes people won’t let their date know how they’re feeling in an attempt to “play it cool.” This can lead to a lot of confusion and may result in your not seeing this person anymore.
Instead, let them know you think they’re great and try to set up a time and location for date No. 2. If they prefer to leave things vague, they may not be as interested in you as you are in them. In this case, it’s better not to invest your emotions or time into the relationship. However, if they seem excited to schedule another meet-up, you’ll know the interest is mutual.
7. Consider the Kiss
At the end of a fantastic first date, you may wonder whether you should kiss this person or not. There are a variety of opinions on whether or not it’s appropriate to kiss on the first date. You need to determine what works best for you and ask your date what they’re comfortable with.
If your first-date kiss is a go, it could help you test whether the chemistry you feel is platonic or romantic. But if you’re more comfortable saving physical connection for later, skipping the kiss could leave them wanting more.
First dates are exciting but also nerve-wracking. Ease your worries and keep these tips in your back pocket to ensure you have a great Bumble date.
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