10 ways to ruin a date

Francesca Annis once said: “However successful you are, there is no substitute for a close relationship.”

Are you one of those who possesses a deep desire to find a compatible mate with whom to share a bond, perhaps culminating in loving partnership or marriage?

Let the mistakes (and sometimes stupidity) of others guide you then.

Here is a list of the top 10 worst things to say on a first date, or should it rather be ‘a sure-fire guide to getting yourself slapped/vilified by a prospective partner’:

‘I recently broke up with my partner…’

On a date, blind or otherwise, it is not recommended one makes mention of an ex, and informing your date you are still getting over them is not going to boost your chances.

Unloading about your ex on a date is not kind on your date anyway.

‘I am super rich/super poor…’

Discussing your fantastic annual earnings or griping about how little you make each week is not wise – no one wants to here you boast, or know that you are barely making ends meet.

This ties into number three on the list.

‘I hate my job/boss…’

A first date should be intriguing and somewhat informative, which means grumbling about what an idiot your boss is will certainly ruin the air of fun and mystery.

In general, being negative on a first date is liable to make you lose out on a second.

‘I don’t tip…’

Nothing screams ‘scrooge’ like a person who refuses to leave even some small change for their waitron, except perhaps in cases of extremely poor service from said waitron.

It might not be your policy to tip, but it makes you look like a cheapskate.

‘Dinner’s on you?’

There is much debate on who should pay for the first date, with opinion shifting to align with the emancipation of women, but never presume someone is obligated to cough up for dinner.

Even offering to go Dutch (halfsies) is better than appearing to be a skinflint.

‘How many children do you want?’

Wow, whats-your-name, jumping the gun much?

Lots of people out there do want children, sure, but starting off with signalling your intent to procreate with said date should be saved for later in the relationship.

‘Why are you still single?’

This is simply a polite way of asking a person what’s wrong with them, and there are very few ways to answer this question beyond saying you haven’t found the right person.

All you have succeeded in doing is highlighting the other person’s flaws.

‘I don’t normally do dates…’

You might think this insinuates something about you, yet it actually insults the person opposite the table, as if you wouldn’t have given them a chance otherwise.

Nice move, if you want he/she/it to leave in a hurry.

‘I love you…’

Can you spell creepy, please?

Maybe you’re on of the hopeless romantic types, who falls ‘in love’ nine times in a day, but professing your undying affections for someone you barely know is a turn-off. Mostly.

‘I have an STD/B.O./etc’

Unless you are featuring on Spa of Embarrassing Illnesses or the latest episode of Jerry Springer, discussing your bodily afflictions is certain to drive your date away.

There is nothing wrong with honesty, but there’s a time and place for everything. A date is not that place.