Clothes have been gathered, Date Night Ideas hair brushed, those unruly eyebrows tamed, and the scene has been set. That’s right, it’s date time. No matter how many or how few people you’ve had recently, dating is always stressful. Saying the wrong thing, a meatball falling into your Love, or simply picking the wrong spot can all ruin a date, and it’s impossible to prepare for any eventuality.

At Elite Singles, though, we like to think we know a thing or two about dating. While the early stages of romance can feel like it’s up to the universe to decide (which is what makes them so exciting, right?), there are some fun date night ideas we’d like to share. Elevate your evening from ‘just OK’ to a date you’ll remember for all the right reasons!

The most important part of the date is, well, the date night! Who you choose is of the utmost importance in how your afternoon or evening goes. Even the most unruly eyebrows or the biggest meatball stains won’t matter if they both click.

COFFEE OR DINNER? THE GENDER GAP

So, you guys got along. Excellent! What’s Next? Choosing a venue that’s neither too formal nor too casual (you don’t want to blur the lines of what constitutes a date, do you?) is key. Well, deciding where you want to meet in person could depend on the gender of your date. According to our ‘Date Night’ survey, the most popular choice for date night ideas for men was a restaurant meal. Why is that? Dinner is the most classic date. A restaurant meal can also be intimate (but not too intimate), fun, and get the conversation flowing. The cuisine you choose to eat in can also say a lot about your personality. Do you both love Italian? You’re not alone!

Surprisingly, the women disagreed. 61% of the women in our study decided that their perfect first date ideas revolved around coffee during the day. Perfect for those feeling a little nervous about being stuck in a restaurant before the food arrives with little to talk about, cafes are always a safe bet. Who knows, if it goes well, maybe you can have something to eat afterwards! YourChristianDate 

WHAT DO I WEAR?

Amazing date night ideas aren’t just based on creating the ideal setting. It also depends on how you feel going into that date. Feeling safe, giving your best and the tranquility in your surroundings is vital to setting the stage for the date of your dreams. You don’t have to go to the mall buying a new outfit that you’ll never wear again (although if you feel like it, why not?), but feeling fabulous is a must. Looking and feeling your best will also make the other person feel special because you care enough to dress for them. Turning around in your dirty sweatshirt or clothes can make a bad impression even before you’ve left the starting point.

HOW TO AVOID A CONVERSATIONAL CATASTROPHE ON A DATE NIGHT

Ok, so your date has agreed, the location decided, the outfit perfected. You’re on your way to the venue, but nerves are kicking in. What do people talk about on dates anyway? Awkward silences are the number one fear of most singles, but with a little preparation and help from Elite Singles’ conversation teachers, you have a great chance of making your date a success. YourChristianDate.Com

According to Nick Notes, a leading dating consultant in the United States, awkward silences usually arise when someone is simply “not present in the conversation…more often than not it’s when someone is inside their head, anxious about what they need next.” ». say, or if they’re impressing the other person.” This is an obvious symptom of nerves. Do you feel comfortable with this person or are you too anxious not to make a mistake? A good rule of thumb to remember is that the other person has agreed to meet with you, they want to see you, and they are usually just as nervous as you are.

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Taking an active interest in your date is another great way to avoid a complete meltdown in the conversation. If you’ve spent any time chatting on Elite Singles, you’ll know a bit about that person from their profile. What do you know about your passions, interests, background, or more importantly, what would you like to know more about? It’s always a good idea to ask questions that get more than a simple ‘yes’ or ‘no’ answer. Questions that pertain to their life or things they like to do are always a great conversation lubricant. But, if you need more inspiration, check out our list of top first and second date questions.

So there you have it. Making your date perfect doesn’t require rocket science, just contingency planning, a good attitude, and some solid date night ideas (courtesy of your friends here at Elite Singles)