Things You Shoudln't Do On The First Date....Vol. 3

6. If it's a blind date, DON'T compare yourself to anyone famous, looks-wise.
Now we all know this never works the way we'd like it to. Sure, most of us all have someone famous we're compared to. With me, it's usually Jodie Foster meets Gillian Anderson. I can live with that. But personality-wise, apparently I'm Carla from Cheers, Mrs. Roper, and Elaine from Seinfeld all rolled into one. Those comparisons are obviously wrong...Ha! My point? Most people look like a more slightly skewed version of these famous stars. I have never met anyone who really looked like the fabulous celebrity they said they looked like. So proceed with caution. Unless, of course, you are drop dead gorgeous, then you can say the famous ones look like you...

7. DON'T check out other people!
Ah, nothing is more that a turn-off than to be out on a date with someone and notice him checking out the girl with the cleavage right in front of your face! It might not happen often, and it's usually another sign of insecurity, but if it does, I usually try to have a smart alecky comment handy, maybe something like "you know, if you hurry, you can get that girl to autograph the bucket of drool that's accumulating as we speak. Go ahead, I'll wait..."

8. DON'T drink too much!
The best example I can think of is to rent that classic gem 'Blind date' with Kim Basinger and Bruce Willis. She's the girl of his dreams until she has a bit too much champagne, at his prompting... Before you know it, he's lost his job, suit, apartment, car and reputation. It probably wouldn't go that far, but no-one likes to see you get that loose before they even get to know you. If the date sucks, then drink when you get home!

9. DON'T assume that he/she will automatically grab for the check.
I hear different stories on this one, but just to play it safe, no matter who invites whom, it's always a nice gesture to offer to pay for half the check even if you didn't do the asking. I suppose it works like this... If the date is going well, the asker will tell you not to be ridiculous and will grab the check, but if it's yet another date from hell, the asker will probably want the askee to cough up some cash. My personal philosophy is to always offer, as it is a new age and I do have a decent job. If he pays, and I like him, I'll offer something in return like a picnic or an invite for a home-cooked meal.

10. DON'T jump into the sack!
You know, the older I get, the more moralistic I become. Yeah, I know, it's a sign of old age. It scares me, and I've made a few mistakes, but this one I have to stand by. The thing is, I think this rule bothers men far more than women. Because, guys, if we like you a lot, and we see promise, we're going to lean towards wanting to sleep with you at some point. It doesn't mean we've had sexual relations with entire football teams, but we don't lose respect for you like you say you might do for us. The fact that men seem uncomfortable with sleeping with a potential Ms. Right on the first date is something I don't question, that's just the way it is. It's always better to savor anticipation.