10 Things People Do Incorrectly Before a First Date

10 Things People Do Incorrectly Before a First Date

First dates can be nerve-wracking, and the hours leading up to them often make people do things that sabotage their chances of success.

Many singles unknowingly create problems for themselves by overthinking, underpreparing, or making poor choices before they even meet their date. Understanding these common mistakes can help you show up confident, relaxed, and ready to make a genuine connection.

1. Oversharing on Social Media

Broadcasting every detail about your upcoming date on Instagram or Facebook might seem harmless, but it creates unnecessary pressure.

Your date might feel uncomfortable knowing that hundreds of people are watching and waiting for updates.

Plus, it takes away the special, private nature of getting to know someone new.

Social media oversharing can also make you seem desperate or overly eager, which are not attractive qualities.

Keep your plans between you and maybe one or two close friends.

Save the posts for after several successful dates when you both feel comfortable sharing your relationship publicly.

2. Skipping Meals All Day

Some people think starving themselves before a dinner date is smart planning, but this strategy backfires quickly.

Arriving at a restaurant extremely hungry makes you more likely to order too much food, eat too quickly, or feel lightheaded and irritable.

Your blood sugar drops, affecting your mood and ability to have interesting conversations.

Instead of skipping meals, eat something light a few hours before your date.

A small snack like fruit, yogurt, or a handful of nuts keeps your energy steady.

You will feel more comfortable and focused on your date rather than obsessing over the menu.

3. Trying a Completely New Look

Experimenting with a dramatic hairstyle change or wearing clothes totally different from your usual style might seem like a confidence booster.

However, showing up in an outfit or haircut that does not feel like you creates discomfort and awkwardness.

You will spend the whole evening feeling self-conscious instead of relaxed and genuine.

Your date wants to meet the real you, not a version you think they will like better.

Stick with outfits that make you feel attractive and comfortable.

Small upgrades are fine, but save major transformations for another time when there is less pressure riding on your appearance.

4. Researching Your Date Too Much

While a quick safety check on social media is reasonable, spending hours stalking every photo and post crosses into creepy territory.

When you know too much about someone before meeting them, conversations feel forced and unnatural.

You might accidentally reveal information they never told you, making them uncomfortable and suspicious.

Part of the excitement of first dates is discovering things about each other through genuine conversation.

Leave room for surprises and spontaneous stories.

Approach your date with curiosity rather than arriving with a mental dossier of their entire life history from the internet.

5. Drinking Too Much Beforehand

Nervous daters sometimes gulp down a few drinks at home to calm their nerves before heading out.

This approach seems helpful until you arrive at your date already tipsy, with impaired judgment and loose lips.

You might say inappropriate things, seem sloppy, or worse, need to order more drinks to maintain your buzz.

First impressions matter tremendously, and showing up intoxicated sends all the wrong messages about your maturity and self-control.

If you need courage, try deep breathing exercises or positive self-talk instead.

Save the drinks for during the date, and even then, limit yourself to one or two maximum.

6. Arriving Extremely Early

Punctuality is important, but showing up twenty or thirty minutes early creates awkwardness for everyone involved.

Your date might feel rushed or guilty for making you wait so long.

You will also have excess time to build up anxiety, second-guess yourself, or look desperate by visibly waiting.

Restaurants and cafes might not appreciate you taking up space without ordering while you wait either.

Plan to arrive about five minutes early at most.

If you get there too soon, take a walk around the block or sit in your car until the appropriate time arrives.

7. Ignoring Basic Hygiene

If you rush your grooming because you’re anxious or pressed for time, you risk sabotaging the entire experience.

Bad breath, body odor, dirty nails, or greasy hair are instant turn-offs that no personality can overcome.

These issues are completely preventable with just a little extra time and attention.

Shower, brush your teeth, use deodorant, and make sure your clothes are clean and wrinkle-free.

Check your appearance one final time before leaving.

Good hygiene shows respect for both yourself and your date, signaling that you care enough to put in basic effort for this special occasion.

8. Planning Nothing to Talk About

Walking into a first date with zero conversation topics prepared is asking for painful silences and awkward pauses.

While you should not script the entire evening, having a mental list of interesting questions or stories helps keep things flowing naturally.

Think about current events, hobbies, travel experiences, or funny anecdotes you can share.

Avoid controversial topics like politics or religion initially, but prepare enough material to carry your half of the conversation.

Good dates feel like effortless exchanges, but that often requires some behind-the-scenes preparation.

Jot down three to five conversation starters on your phone before leaving home.

9. Obsessing Over Worst-Case Scenarios

When you spend the time before a date picturing potential disasters, you burden yourself with stress you don’t need.

What if they hate you?

What if there is nothing to talk about?

What if you spill something or say something stupid?

This catastrophic thinking puts you in a terrible mindset before you even arrive.

Your nervousness becomes obvious, affecting your body language and ability to be present.

Instead, visualize positive outcomes and remind yourself that your date already agreed to meet you, which means they see potential.

Replace worried thoughts with excitement about the possibility of meeting someone special.

10. Forgetting to Confirm Plans

Assuming your date remembers all the details without a quick confirmation text is a recipe for confusion and disappointment.

People have busy lives and sometimes forget specific times or locations, especially if plans were made several days earlier.

A simple message the morning of or a few hours before shows consideration and prevents miscommunication.

Something like, “Still excited for tonight at seven at Mario’s Restaurant!” works perfectly.

This gives your date a chance to respond if something came up or if they need to reschedule.

Confirmed plans mean both people show up at the right place and time, starting the evening on a positive, organized note.