We ask women to go out on a date because we are attracted to them. It’s a chance for us to put our best foot forward, to get to know each other better, to find out if you are the 'right' person for each other for a relationship, to get more intimate.

A date is a date – be it formal like a dinner, going to the theater or going to a concert – complete with fireworks, bells and whistles; informal, simple and carefree like a walk in the park, having coffee at your favorite deli, watching a football match, watching the sun as it rises or sets from a favorite spot.

Wherever you and your date go out to, especially on your FIRST DATE, you are on center stage. There are no re-takes – it's your night (because she agreed to go out with you) and that everything you do and don't do will be the topic of conversation between her and her friends.

You can choose to make it the beginning of a healthy relationship or one that's nipped in the bud even before it had the chance to bloom.  The first impression always lasts – and in dating and courtship that holds true as well. Avoid making costly mistakes that may be disastrous on your part.

1. Know Your Date.  If you have the time to find out your date's likes and dislikes, food preferences, leisure time activities – do it!  Doing your homework ensures that the first date is not going to end up indeterminately. However, if you don't have the time to do your homework then you just have to wing it – very carefully and attentively, pay close attention to nuances of speech and body language.
   
   
2. Don't Be Uptight.  She is in the same situation as you are.  It’s up to you to make her comfortable.  Be at ease, make small talk, and get her attention, making sure you keep it! Be friendly – women would find you more interesting and fun to be with. Make safe jokes that would not offend. Women are at ease when the men they date are funny to be with or hilarious – it takes the stress off the situation of being with a stranger on a one-on-one situation for the first time. More importantly, it makes them feel safe.
   
   
3. Be the Perfect Gentleman. No matter how hard women try to be equal to men, subconsciously they still expect to see knights in shining armor! It doesn't hurt if you open the door for her, unlock her side of the car, or give her your hand in assistance. It will not cost you anything yet it would positively boost your image in her eyes.
   
   
4. The Most Beautiful Girl. Make her feel she's the most beautiful and desirable woman in the world.  If you don't see her that way you wouldn't have bothered to ask her out right? NEVER MAKE THE MISTAKE of looking at other women for more than 2 seconds no matter how stunning, striking or sexy they may be even if your date comments on them. At that particular moment, your date is the most stunning, striking and sexiest woman in the world and make her feel it by giving her your full and complete attention.
   
   
5. Be In Control.  It is polite to ask your date what she wants to eat or drink but it's definitely not a good idea to seek her seal of approval that she ends up making the decision – women see that as an inherent weakness on our part.  Women don't like yes-men, they prefer men who are in control of the situation otherwise they'd be the one to ask you out on a date. Be in control, without being offensive, by advising her on different options to choose from and making suggestions but never ask her to take the lead or seek her permission for something.
   
   
6. Make Her See Your Good Points.  So you're not as tall, handsome or athletic as the other hunks are, so what? Physical attraction is superficial; it fades when compared to strength of character. Women get attracted to handsome, young men but that's only when they're teenagers, they mellow out as they get older. Whereas men get attracted to women physically but women prefer strength of character over physical attributes.
   
   
7. Don't Try To Get Her To Go To Bed On Your First Date. You're history if you do this because you'll be broadcasted all over town as a maniac or a pervert the following day! Whatever the situation is, never take her to bed the first night out unless the one you're with is promiscuous and if she is then you've made the wrong choice already. You can kiss her good night when you take her home but avoid being sensual. And God forbid, don't tell her you love her already. She'd disappear from your sights faster than you can say hello.

Remember these Seven Points and avoid going into a crash and burn on your first date.  They're not all there is to know, there are a lot more but they cover the more important points most of us overlook and take for granted; then we end up wondering what went wrong on our first date.