or overly self conscious about her weight, the chocolates may not be the best idea. So only give these as a first date gift when you know something about the woman you're dating. If you're not sure, leave those for future dates instead.

5. Don't Go Overboard. When taking a lady out on a first date, it's not always a good idea to plan something overly fancy or expensive. Women tend to criticize themselves a lot more than men do, and often they're more uncertain of themselves too. So if you take her to a super fancy expensive restaurant, she may worry that her dress isn't good enough, or she may end u

Guys, this is important: First impressions count. A lot. There are a lot of ways to really knock a girl's socks off on the first date, but without having the basics covered first, you'll strike out. Fast.

So whether this is a first date from an online dating service, a blind date set up by a friend or relative, or the first date with someone you've actually met and talked to before, there are some important do's and don'ts to keep in mind.

1. Dress nicely. Women expect this to be a no-brainer but it doesn't always occur to guys. They see nothing wrong with going straight from working on the car or planting trees, to their date... without even washing up or changing.

Now along the same lines, you want to be sure you dress appropriately for the date. There's not much use in putting on a tuxedo if you're planning on going out for coffee or a movie. Likewise though, don't wear jeans and a t-shirt if you're planning to take your date to a fancy french restaurant.

2. Groom well. Grooming is your basic cleanup, and it usually goes hand in hand with putting on some nice clothes. Guys forget some basic things though, so in addition to taking a shower and putting on fresh deodorant and cologne, be sure to trim your nails, clean out any dirt from under the fingernails, and shave or trim your face.

3. Meet in a public place. This is very important for blind dates, or first dates with online friends. Women are taught to be very careful and cautious with men, so they're not likely to be comfortable having you pick them up at their house or apartment. They also aren't usually comfortable meeting in secluded or out-of-the-way places either. So to make sure they're comfortable, arrange your first meeting somewhere public. It doesn't have to be a noisy, crowded club, just a place where there are a moderate number of other people around. Coffee houses are an excellent safe bet for the first meeting.

4. Take your lady a small box of chocolates or a nice flower. Don't go overboard with a dozen roses because she might consider that "rushing things" or a bit too forward for the first date. Roses equate to romance in a woman's mind. Giving her one rose on the first date is usually ok and actually sweet, but if you want to play it really safe try giving her a pretty carnation or lily instead.

Chocolates are loved by women but sometimes this can backfire. If the woman you're meeting is on a diet, or overly self conscious about her weight, the chocolates may not be the best idea. So only give these as a first date gift when you know something about the woman you're dating. If you're not sure, leave those for future dates instead.

5. Don't Go Overboard. When taking a lady out on a first date, it's not always a good idea to plan something overly fancy or expensive. Women tend to criticize themselves a lot more than men do, and often they're more uncertain of themselves too. So if you take her to a super fancy expensive restaurant, she may worry that her dress isn't good enough, or she may end up

or planting trees, to their date... without even washing up or changing.

Now along the same lines, you want to be sure you dress appropriately for the date. There's not much use in putting on a tuxedo if you're planning on going out for coffee or a movie. Likewise though, don't wear jeans and a t-shirt if you're planning to take your date to a fancy french restaurant.

2. Groom well. Grooming is your basic cleanup, and it usually goes hand in hand with putting on some nice clothes. Guys forget some basic things though, so in addition to taking a shower and putting on fresh deodorant and cologne, be sure to trim your nails, clean out any dirt from under the fingernails, and shave or trim your face.

3. Meet in a public place. This is very important for blind dates, or first dates with online friends. Women are taught to be very careful and cautious with men, so they're not likely to be comfortable having you pick them up at their house or apartment. They also aren't usually comfortable meeting in secluded or out-of-the-way places either. So to make sure they're comfortable, arrange your first meeting somewhere public. It doesn't have to be a noisy, crowded club, just a place where there are a moderate number of other people around. Coffee houses are an excellent safe bet for the first meeting.

4. Take your lady a small box of chocolates or a nice flower. Don't go overboard with a dozen roses because she might consider that "rushing things" or a bit too forward for the first date. Roses equate to romance in a woman's mind. Giving her one rose on the first date is usually ok and actually sweet, but if you want to play it really safe try giving her a pretty carnation or lily instead.

Chocolates are loved by women but sometimes this can backfire. If the woman you're meeting is on a diet, or overly self conscious about her weight, the chocolates may not be the best idea. So only give these as a first date gift when you know something about the woman you're dating. If you're not sure, leave those for future dates instead.

5. Don't Go Overboard. When taking a lady out on a first date, it's not always a good idea to plan something overly fancy or expensive. Women tend to criticize themselves a lot more than men do, and often they're more uncertain of themselves too. So if you take her to a super fancy expensive restaurant, she may worry that her dress isn't good enough, or she may end u

be sure to trim your nails, clean out any dirt from under the fingernails, and shave or trim your face.

3. Meet in a public place. This is very important for blind dates, or first dates with online friends. Women are taught to be very careful and cautious with men, so they're not likely to be comfortable having you pick them up at their house or apartment. They also aren't usually comfortable meeting in secluded or out-of-the-way places either. So to make sure they're comfortable, arrange your first meeting somewhere public. It doesn't have to be a noisy, crowded club, just a place where there are a moderate number of other people around. Coffee houses are an excellent safe bet for the first meeting.

4. Take your lady a small box of chocolates or a nice flower. Don't go overboard with a dozen roses because she might consider that "rushing things" or a bit too forward for the first date. Roses equate to romance in a woman's mind. Giving her one rose on the first date is usually ok and actually sweet, but if you want to play it really safe try giving her a pretty carnation or lily instead.

Chocolates are loved by women but sometimes this can backfire. If the woman you're meeting is on a diet, or overly self conscious about her weight, the chocolates may not be the best idea. So only give these as a first date gift when you know something about the woman you're dating. If you're not sure, leave those for future dates instead.

5. Don't Go Overboard. When taking a lady out on a first date, it's not always a good idea to plan something overly fancy or expensive. Women tend to criticize themselves a lot more than men do, and often they're more uncertain of themselves too. So if you take her to a super fancy expensive restaurant, she may worry that her dress isn't good enough, or she may end u

moderate number of other people around. Coffee houses are an excellent safe bet for the first meeting.

4. Take your lady a small box of chocolates or a nice flower. Don't go overboard with a dozen roses because she might consider that "rushing things" or a bit too forward for the first date. Roses equate to romance in a woman's mind. Giving her one rose on the first date is usually ok and actually sweet, but if you want to play it really safe try giving her a pretty carnation or lily instead.

Chocolates are loved by women but sometimes this can backfire. If the woman you're meeting is on a diet, or overly self conscious about her weight, the chocolates may not be the best idea. So only give these as a first date gift when you know something about the woman you're dating. If you're not sure, leave those for future dates instead.

5. Don't Go Overboard. When taking a lady out on a first date, it's not always a good idea to plan something overly fancy or expensive. Women tend to criticize themselves a lot more than men do, and often they're more uncertain of themselves too. So if you take her to a super fancy expensive restaurant, she may worry that her dress isn't good enough, or she may end u

or overly self conscious about her weight, the chocolates may not be the best idea. So only give these as a first date gift when you know something about the woman you're dating. If you're not sure, leave those for future dates instead.

5. Don't Go Overboard. When taking a lady out on a first date, it's not always a good idea to plan something overly fancy or expensive. Women tend to criticize themselves a lot more than men do, and often they're more uncertain of themselves too. So if you take her to a super fancy expensive restaurant, she may worry that her dress isn't good enough, or she may end up wearing shoes that she can barely walk in because she felt they were the only ones good enough for such an elaborate date.

If they woman you're dating is used to super expensive five star restaurants then you aren't likely to have any problems. If however, she says she's "always wanted to try one", then that's not the best choice for your first date with her... no matter how romantic it might seem.

Jack Strom is recognized as a relationship and dating expert and also does extensive research into dating and relationship issues. He has carefully researched and endorses the best "how to" online dating books on the internet. To find more articles and information, see http://www.datingfgo.com