Perhaps the person you’re dating could be your soulmate. Maybe this date could be the beginning of something magical – you definitely like the look of each other, and the conversation is flowing. You’re chatting away while looking at the menus and over saunters the waiter, asking you what you’d like to drink…
We all know the rule, right? Never make the mistake of getting drunk on a first date because it will either end one of two ways:
i) You’ll say or do something to embarrass yourself
ii) The two of you spooning the morning after
The thing is, first dates are all about first impressions. Does that mean you should stay sober or opt to have a few drinks?
You’re probably feeling a little nervous – it’s to be expected on a first date, and you know that a drink or two will give you the Dutch courage you need to open up and enjoy yourself. The question is, on a first date how many drinks is too many?
When it’s okay to have a tipple on a first date:
First dates are seriously nerve-wracking, they can make even the most self-assured people crumble into a babbling mess. A tipple or two will allow you to relax and actually enjoy yourself. The chances are that your date is just as nervous as you, so opting to share a bottle of wine over dinner will probably relax you both and make the date run more smoothly.
There’s nothing more awkward than sitting in silence on a date. Lots of us get chatty after a drink or two, so the chances of silence is low – after just a couple few sips most of us are much happier to start opening up. That being said, one sip too many and your tongue could get away from you – so make sure to be mindful of what you’re saying.
Always keep an eye on how much your date is drinking and how tipsy they are – make sure you’re not ahead of them, or you’re asking for trouble.
How can too much alcohol can ruin a great first date?
Alcohol is a drug, which means that it changes your behaviour, especially when you’re dating. You might think that when you’re drunk, you’re a great laugh but your date might think otherwise and may end up being put off by your intoxication. After all, you’ve only just met, so it probably is too early to perch on their knee or spill your feelings from the depth of your heart.
How can you tell when enough is enough?
Whatever you do, don’t make the mistake of knocking back your drinks. This is never going to end well – you’ll wake up with a sore head and a few hazy memories of the night before. Of course, you can avoid this type of disastrous consequence by following the rules below…
- Be mindful of what you’re drinking – keep a mental note of how many drinks you’ve had and have a limit in mind.
- Take you time. It’s probably best to order a soft drink or a glass of water as well as a glass of wine so that if you’re thirsty, you don’t have to knock back your drink.
- Be choosy about what you’re drinking. Cocktails can be laden with alcohol, so it might be best to steer clear of these. The same goes for shots unless you both want to end up under the table that is.
- Don’t mix. This is a mistake that you don’t want to make. Choose one drink at the start of the evening and stick to it.
- Once you start feeling tipsy, it’s time to slow things down. Tipsy is perfectly fine but drunk really is not.
Coffee > Alcohol
If drinking isn’t your thing, then why not head for a coffee date – apparently as well as making you smarter, coffee can have a positive impact on your mood and there is also the little fact that consuming between 85 and 170mg of caffeine a day can mean men are 42% less likely to suffer from erectile dysfunction – enough said.
Remember, the aim of a first date is to get to know the other person, not to get drunk. So it’s a good idea to pace yourself and only have a couple of drinks.