If you've ever had a first date from hell it's probably because of one of these no-nos...
Sometimes we wish a man would just meet us outside a restaurant, flowers in hand (like in the movies), take a seat opposite us on a per-booked table, talk like a normal human being and say goodnight with a kiss on the cheek. That's the sort of incredible, romantic date that gets the butterflies in our stomachs fluttering.
Nowadays we're lucky if we get 20 minutes of conversation - either we're meeting all the wrong men or the concept of a first date has lost its mystique.
It's not about being wined and dined any more, it's about discovering if you can stand to be in the same room as someone for more than five minutes.
Now we're willing to give everyone a chance, but any man who commits one of these serious first date crimes isn't a keeper.
Take a look at our top five dating taboos below and let us know what you think...
1. He's late...really, really late.
If you arrange to meet someone at 8pm you expect them to adhere to one of three possibilities; they're five minutes early, one time, or five minutes late. Waiting 30 minutes for your date to turn up isn't very impressive and, let's face it, a first date is when you really want to impress the other person.
When he does turn up late you don't want to seem like a massive ball buster...so yelling at him isn't an option. So, we recommend waiting to see what he says on the matter.
If he splutters (completely out of breath) 'I just saved a kitten from a tree that was on fire' he may be a keeper. If he arrives late and doesn't even mumble an apology he's not just an idiot, he's rude.
Photo via the Yahoo! Contributor NetworkA study commissioned by CouponCabin.com found that 26% of people have used discount codes to save money on a first date.
Now we are all for discount codes and deals (see our Daily Treats section!) but we want to feel special on a first date, not like an unfortunate expense.
The same goes for a guy who offers to pay for dinner (when we'd be willing to pay half, no one's made of money) who then tells you what you can and can't have to fit into his budget. Awkward.
Realistically, we want to eat what we want and pay for our own food, but if he wants to treat us to an extra glass of wine we're not complaining!
3. You can't get a word in.
Easy flowing conversations is one of the signs that you've hit it off, but what are you supposed to do if he JUST. WON'T. SHUT.UP? Arrogance isn't an attractive quality, but maybe the poor chap's just got verbal diarrhea from a severe case of nerves.
Keep a mental note of how many questions he asks you - a good first date is all about balance.
If you're stuck talking about his amazing gap year experience for 30 minutes and can't see the topic changing any time soon, don't be afraid to get up, politely say your goodbyes and walk away.
4. He's got to be the best.
Here's how the conversation might go down...
You: "I work in management, I started as a junior and worked my way up to an executive level."
Him: "I skipped all the junior levels and went straight in at the top, I was too experienced and over-qualified for junior roles."
Hmmmm, but then it get's worse with this...
You: "I went traveling to New York and down the east coast a couple of years ago..."
Him: (interrupting) "I've traveled round the whole of America, I'd been to all 50 states by the time I was nine."
Do you get the idea?
5. He's massively overstepped the mark.
If your date goes really well and he's walking you to your car/house/train station you may be feeling, well, pretty darn fantastic.
That is until he moves in for a snog with tongues while attempting to feel you up. Woah there speedy, there's nothing nice about being pounced on after an hour in Starbucks.
Maybe you've just bewitched, bothered and bewildered him...or maybe he's just an idiot.
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