For singles looking for love online, is it okay to be late when the two of you meet up for that great first date? Sophisticated singles are used to showing up “whenever” for potluck parties and cocktails at their friends’ houses. Is it the same social etiquette for the first date? Why it’s not great to be late for your appointment and how to avoid it. Read on to find out more.
First Date Dating Success Tip: Be On Time
With so many singles living in metropolitan areas, there is always the traffic and commute traffic variables. It is a running joke in Southern California in Los Angeles and Orange County that there is always an accident on the 405 freeway. Make sure you know the route you will take to date and allow plenty of time to get there. It’s even better to plan to arrive a few minutes early. Show the utmost respect, consideration, and honor to your appointment and to yourself by arriving early and on time for your appointment.
If you live in a metropolitan area like New York or Los Angeles, where parking at night can be a challenge, you know there will be valet parking. Yes, it will cost something. Call the restaurant where you are meeting and find out how much it costs. Plan for that cost as part of the cost for the date. If you live in such an area, use valet parking. Don’t leave your date waiting 45 minutes looking for free parking thinking that she will wait for you. When you do that, you are saying, “I value your precious time less than the cost of a valet.” Yes, it will create a lasting first impression. It just won’t be the one you want.
It is the 21st century. Things happen. If the worst gets worse and there is a major car accident, they exchanged each other’s cell phone numbers when they agreed and accepted this First Date, right? Well then call your date. This is not the time to send text messages. That seems flimsy to both men and women. Give them some kind of adjusted ETA.
It will then be up to your appointment to stay and meet with you or cancel that date. 99% of the time, if you are more than 15 minutes late for your appointment, your appointment will leave if you don’t call and check with them. You will appear and he or she will be gone. If you call now and ask your date to come back, you will have totally disrupted the night. This is not how you start a romantic relationship. Avoid all that confusion by simply planning ahead and giving yourself plenty of time. Better to arrive early and sit at the bar and have a drink of sparkling water for 20 minutes than to be late.
When you show consideration, consideration, and respect for yourself and your appointment by arriving a few minutes early and keeping your appointment on time, you’re guaranteed to have a great first date! And also your date with you!
