HOW TO GET READY FOR A FIRST DATE WITH HER from MatchMadeInNaija's blog

First dates are usually perceived to have an air of trial and error about them but there are ways to prepare for your first date with a girl in order to make it memorable for her. This five-item list is not the ‘Gold Standard’ for every guy going on a first date in Nigeria but it is sure to make you more likely to create an amazing first impression.

1. Call Her Early To Confirm Your Outing.

There’s nothing more disappointing than a girl telling you that something came up, one hour to your date. You can reduce the chances of that happening by calling her earlier in the day. Do not tell her you’re calling to confirm but say something like ‘I can’t wait to see you later today.’ That makes her remember to prioritize your outing over other impulsive activities that could come up at that time.

2. Choose The Venue, Keep It Simple:

Never ever leave the venue to chance. The aim of a first date is to impress the lady enough to make her want to go on a second date so you have to be in control of the variables. What if she picks a restaurant that is out of your price range or a place where they sell Chinese food when all you know how to eat is Nigerian Jollof? Dude, make sure the venue of the first date is somewhere nice, moderate and affordable. Be sure to inform her of the venue beforehand.

3. Have Enough Money To Pay For The Meal, And Then Some.

This is no time to go ‘Dutch.’ No splitting of the bills on the first date. Do not plan for a date with the aim of paying just for two meals. Make sure you are ready to purchase a little extra just in case. Remember that this is not to prove that you can be ‘the man of the house’ but to show that you are a person who is prepared for any situation. If you don’t have a car, make sure that you have enough money to order a ride to take her home.

4. Appear Simple But Stylish

You don’t need gold braces and two chains (pun intended) to impress a girl. You just need to dress based on the type of date you chose. If you chose to take her to Takwa Bay, for example, a simple Vintage Shirt and beach shorts would do. A dinner would require a Tux but not a three-piece suit. Make sure she is aware of the type of function so she can dress accordingly. It would be quite awkward if she wore an evening gown to GET Arena, wouldn’t it?

5. Be Punctual, Plan Your Route And Time.

Check google maps for traffic predictions well ahead of the time for your date. If the venue is 30 minutes away without traffic, leave your house one hour to the time. If you need to pick her up make sure you call well ahead of time so she can get ready. You could also get a ride to pick her up and bring her to the venue while you go ahead and make sure everything is in order.

Now you’re ready to go on the date. You just arrived at the venue and to your delight, everything is in order. She arrives five minutes later and walks in looking like an angel and you give her a semi-flirtatious smile. ‘Why are you smiling?’ She asks. You respond, ‘Well, I’m just so glad that you’re here and I hope that this night would mean to you what you mean to me.’ She blushes, looks at you and with confidence in your voice you say, ‘Shall we begin?’