Dinner is still one of, if not the most popular date out there today. However, there’s always some questions that need answering, especially with a new date.

First of all, you need to settle on a place to eat. Make sure to be aware of any dietary restrictions your date may have (for example, you don’t want to take them to The Keg if they’re a vegetarian). Try and think of options where the music isn’t too loud, so you can have a conversation. After you’ve narrowed it down, the best option is normally to give your date a few options to decide where you want to eat, and see if they’re interested in any. Make sure to take them someplace you can afford, but avoid going the economy route of fast food or pizza. When you arrive at the restaurant, if you’re sitting near a window, or near an elaborate floral arrangement, make sure your date has the best view.

Another big question is deciding what to order. Don’t order the most expensive item on the menu, and the cheapest is also out. Get something middle-of-the-line, price wise. Order something which is easy to eat, in order to make a good impression. The double cheeseburger which won’t fit into your mouth and falls apart when you pick it up is not the best choice when you want to look good for your date. Always let your date order first, or ask if they would like you to order for them. Never order a drink if you haven’t asked your date if they would like one first. If they refuse one, do not order one yourself. It sets a bad impression, and you should not need alcohol to feel relaxed on a date: you asked the person out and they accepted, so they obviously like you. You should be yourself and not feel the need to depend on alcohol to make you feel comfortable.

There are some other simple etiquette tips to add to ensure your date thinks of you as a classy gentleman/woman. When you receive your meal, do not devour it instantly. Eat healthily, but leisurely. At the same time, try to eat at about the same pace as your date so that neither of you feels rushed to finish your meal. Finally, make sure if you have some bad habits, to make a conscious effort to avoid doing them during the date. Other than that, relax and enjoy the time you have with your date!

One of the biggest complaints women have about the date they met is lack of hygiene. Women are very perceptive about the little things men think aren’t noticeable: that tiny stain on the shirt, the ripped edges of the jeans, etc. Don’t worry though! We women don’t ask that you spend hours in front of the mirror before a date, we just ask that you try and do as many of these simple things as possible:

Shower: Even if you’ve showered the day of the date, showering about a half hour before you need to leave cleans off the grime of the day and makes you look and smell fresh for your date. Women love men who smell good, and a shower just before a date is an excellent way to make a fantastic first impression.

Take care of your hands: You’re going to have to give a girl a hand she wants to hold if you want her to hold it. Begin by washing your hands. Make sure to scrub beneath your fingernails to get rid of any grime. Check your nails. Are they too long? If so, cut them. Make sure to file them after to avoid sharp edges. Cut off hangnails and push your cuticles back. Clean, soft hands are the hands a girl loves!

Pick clean clothes: Trust me, most girls can spot a stain, even if you think it’s barely noticeable. It’s just how we’re wired. Find a clean shirt and pants. If you really have no idea what to wear, business casual generally works well for most casual dates: some black pants coupled with a crisp shirt (don’t tuck it in though!).

The right smell: Girls are attracted to men who smell nice. A shower is a great start, but a dash of good-smelling cologne often draws a woman to appreciate the effort you put in to looking good. If you don’t know what smells a woman might like, ask a female friend to help you shop for a small bottle of cologne.

Now with this basic guide you’re almost guaranteed that your date will be impressed with the care you take of your body. A sign of a man taking care of his own body gives off the impression that he may be willing to take care of his girlfriend as well, which always reassures women. Looking clean will almost always gain you bonus points right from the start, so go on your date and look your best!

Everyone has heard the internet dating horror stories of dates that weren’t at all what the person expected, down to a fake picture. It’s happened to a fair number of people, including a friend of mine! However, there are steps that one can take to make sure that the person you’re meeting is honest and safe.

The most important thing is trying to learn as much as possible about your potential date: what they do for a living, where they work, etc. If there are any discrepancies in your potential date’s answers, or if the answers are very vague, alarms should be going off in your head. While they may just be playing it safe by not revealing too much personal information over the internet, there’s also a very good chance that they have something to hide.

Ask for a recent photo. With today’s technology, most people have access to either a digital camera, a scanner, or they know somebody with access to one of the above. If your potential date cannot provide an at least semi-recent photo of themselves, be cautious. However, please remember that while you expect a picture of them, they will also expect the same from you, and it is common courtesy to offer one. If you are not prepared to send a potential date a photo, you are not prepared to date them, either.

Technology has another advantage in that it can be used to look for information. While you probably shouldn’t spend $50 to get a full background check done on your potential date, look them up using Google. Often, if they have a criminal record or some other sort of major offense, you can find out that way.

You should also chat using a microphone on instant messaging programs, or online phone services such as Skype before meeting your date. If you feel comfortable doing so, give your potential date your phone number, though a work number would be much better.

Before you actually meet, ask for their home phone number, full name (though you should already know this by now!) and address. Leave these with friends and let them know when and where you’re going to be, and when you expect to get back.

Take these precautions before your date, and see the Guide to Being Safe During a Date article for more safety instruction.

While taking the proper precautions pre-date is an excellent way to make sure you’re safe, it’s not 100% foolproof, and there still runs a risk of your date being unsafe. Many of the worst criminal offenders lead perfectly normal lives.

Begin by clarifying your expectations right from the get-go. If you have vocalized your intentions from the start, it may prevent your date from putting too much pressure on you to do something you would rather not do. Always use common sense when with a date you have never physically met before. Do not treat them in the same way as you would treat a date with whom you work, or knew previously.

Always meet for the first time in a public place, preferably in the mid-afternoon, when it is still very light outside. Always stay near other people, having the date in someplace like a coffee shop, a café or a restaurant, and not in the worst parts of the city. The neighborhood in which you work, which you are likely familiar with, is probably the safest place for a date, as you know the area and it is normally not the same neighborhood in which you live. Know where the closest police station or fire station is in case you need emergency help. Have a cell phone on you at all times as well, just in case.

On the date, never leave the table if you have a full drink, or even a full plate of food, and never leave your food or drink unattended. You never know what a date might slip into it while you’ve just run off to the bathroom for a couple of minutes.

Always take your own car, or have some form of transportation available so that you do not depend on your date for transportation. Do not get into the car with your date, as it makes you completely hostage to them. If necessary, take the bus or a taxi back home. And absolutely do not invite your date into your place on the first date. You still do not know him well enough and should not trust him enough to allow him into your home, where you are completely alone and vulnerable.

Finally, have some fun. Being cautious does not mean you can’t have any fun on a first date, and following these tips should make you more relaxed and more able to enjoy your date.

While it seems obvious, many people forget the obvious things to take on a date, whether it be a wallet, or an umbrella to avoid unexpected rain. Use this guide as a checklist to ensure you’ve brought everything you need to the date!

Wallet/Purse: It’s an obvious one, but I have been on a date where he has forgotten his wallet. It was more embarrassing for him than for me, but avoid the whole situation by making sure you have it. Girls, always bring your purse, regardless of whether or not you pay for the meals. You never know what emergency might come up, or if you would want to treat him to something.

Cell Phone: In case of an emergency, it’s always nice to have one around, or even if you got lost or your taxi didn’t show up and you need to get in contact with your date, letting them know you’re going to be late. You never know when a cell phone can come in handy.

Directions to your Destination: While if you’re going to a local diner that you know very well this isn’t necessary, always take directions if you’re going someplace you’ve never been before to avoid getting lost. It’s not foolproof, but it could save you some embarrassment!

Flower: For all those men who want to look sensitive and caring, take the time to buy a single flower for your date. Do not simply steal flowers from a neighbor’s bushes. If you have your own flowers, by all means give one to your date, but otherwise buy her a flower at a store.

An Umbrella: You never know what Mother Nature will throw at you, so it’s always a good idea to carry an umbrella if the weather looks threatening. Bonus points if it does rain and you keep your date dry!

Event Tickets: If you plan on taking your date to a sports game, a show, a concert or another event with limited ticketing, make sure to get the tickets well in advance to avoid disappointment at the gate. It makes you look more responsible and ensures you get a seat.

Finally, don’t forget to bring a sense of humour and your personality. Be yourself and have fun on your date!