We can picture it now: the candlelit table for two, a man and a woman sat nervously opposite one another, with a bottle of red wine between them. Drinking seems to come with the dating territory, especially for dinner dates. But how much is acceptable to drink on a first date, and what rules should you follow if you want to make a good first impression? FreeAndSingle takes a look at the time-old problem of drinking and dating.
Know Your Limits
A few drinks can really help to melt away the nerves on a date, and get the conversation flowing along with the wine, beer or spirits. However, it’s important to stay in control on this first encounter – you don’t want to regret anything you said or did the next day. Even if your date seems to be knocking them back with little effect, know your own limits and stick to them. If you’re starting to feel a bit lightheaded, ask for some tap water for the table.
A Good First Impression
Besides, your date doesn’t know you well enough to judge how much you can drink. So if you’re a heavyweight, it’s still a good idea to limit your intake. If in doubt, keep an eye on your date’s drink. Are they keeping up with you or nursing their glass of wine whilst you’ve drained yours? If it’s the latter, slow down and simply enjoy the conversation. Save the boozy night out for your friends.
Pick Your Venue Wisely
A night out with your partner can be great fun, but if you want to leave them wanting more after the first date, pick a venue where you can round things off after the meal. Somewhere with a good atmosphere, but that doesn’t get rowdy later on, will make it easier to avoid the temptation of a night on the town.
Alcohol Free Dating
Many of us feel pressured to drink on a date, fearing that he or she might mark you down as boring if you don’t order something alcoholic. But if you don’t drink, or you want to avoid alcohol on this particular date, how do you go about it?
Of course, you should feel confident enough to refuse alcohol without feeling embarrassed – we don’t need to drink to have a good time. However, if you’re conscious about staying sober, plan your date for a weeknight when there won’t be expectations for a boozy dinner date.
Sharing a bottle of wine or comparing your taste in spirits can be a great way to break the ice on a date, but don’t let alcohol become the focus of your evening. If you want to keep your decorum, make a good impression and leave them eager to find out more about you, keep your consumption to a minimum. And if you’re not a drinker, don’t feel pressured into ordering something alcoholic! Your date will respect you for it.
Photo credit: Quinn Dombrowski