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The 6 most important etiquette rules for a first date

22.1.2018

Translation: machine translated

For Generation Y, dating is the order of the day. Good manners, on the other hand, are unfortunately less common. We'll tell you what you should definitely look out for on your first date.

A right swipe on your Tinder app ends with you having a date? Congratulations, you've managed to meet someone in true millennial style. But if your date is to take place in the classically romantic setting of a restaurant, there are a few things to bear in mind. Here are six rules you can use to impress your date no matter what.

1. be on time, or don't be at all

It couldn't be simpler. Nevertheless, many people don't manage it and think that being a few minutes late is still acceptable. Let me tell you one thing: It's not! Being late for a date only signals that you don't particularly care about the whole endeavour and that you have no respect for the other person's time. So please: Keep an eye on the clock!

2 Emancipation or not: ladies first

Now it's getting tricky. In terms of emancipation, we women have of course long outgrown being helpless in front of men and being dependent on their help. Nevertheless, I think it's a nice and respectful gesture when a man holds the door open for a woman, takes her jacket and perhaps even adjusts her chair. After all, politeness is an evergreen and I'm pretty sure that no woman would take offence at something like that from her companion.

3. what to order

Once you've taken a seat, the question arises: what do I order? On instinct, you would naturally say: be yourself and order whatever you fancy! But on closer inspection, there are actually a few menus that can make your date more difficult. These include, for example, spaghetti, which you can rarely eat "clean", as well as spinach, pesto or caviar, which often gets stuck between your teeth. Onion and garlic-heavy dishes are also not particularly recommended, as they make your breath unbearable. In the end, it's up to you. And if you realise right from the start that the other person isn't your cup of tea anyway, then it doesn't matter anyway.

4. banish your mobile

This should also be a matter of course: Mobile phones don't belong on the table. No one wants to have a counterpart who keeps looking at the display. So please concentrate fully on your date.

5th forbidden topic of conversation

Now, in addition to forbidden foods, there are also topics that should be taboo on the first date. For example, nobody wants to hear about your lactose intolerance and the associated flatulence. The same applies to juicy stories from past love affairs. Future plans such as marriage, children and money can also be misinterpreted.

6 Who pays?

This is where opinions differ again. Nowadays, splitting the bill is no longer a big deal and completely normal. Generally speaking, however, the person who issues the invitation also pays.

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Natalie Hemengül

Senior Editor

Natalie.Hemenguel@digitecgalaxus.ch

As a massive Disney fan, I see the world through rose-tinted glasses. I worship series from the 90s and consider mermaids a religion. When I’m not dancing in glitter rain, I’m either hanging out at pyjama parties or sitting at my make-up table. P.S. I love you, bacon, garlic and onions.

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The 6 most important etiquette rules for a first date

1. be on time, or don't be at all

2 Emancipation or not: ladies first

3. what to order

4. banish your mobile

5th forbidden topic of conversation

6 Who pays?

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