– In reference to point 3: Try to add some kind of non-talking activity to the date. Dates can be unnatural because we rarely just sit and talk with our friends without doing something else. I think this can be done very well by suggesting something spontaneous.

– Although talking about past relationships is a no-no on first dates, talking about dating experiences (especially bad ones) can be interesting and fun. There is a very good chance that both you and your date will think these types of stories are interesting. It can also give you the opportunity to breach some awkward topics.

– 5. Don’t be pushy. I once had a girl basically force me to take her to dinner, even though dinner was not really a planned part of the date. I was not very interested and I was really put off by her nagging persistence.