First Dates: The Best and Worst

Gena Kaufman,Glamour magazine

Exciting news you guys! I went on my first official date since I fled my old life (and my old relationship) and moved home to Ohio. Want to hear about it?

Great news: It didn't suck! OK, maybe not the highest standard of success, but the last time I went on a date in New York after my breakup, I cried so hard on the subway on my way home that a stranger actually came up to comfort me. Not my finest moment. So this was a huge improvement-good bar, a few drinks, and he got points for walking me home. My hesitation to get back in the dating scene means I'm taking everything crazy slow, but should this go anywhere, you know I'll keep you guys updated.

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Anyway, first dates totally freak me out. Do you guys get that way? I get nervous and I dread them for days, but usually when I go, I'm like, "Oh, that was actually pretty fun. Why did I worry so much?" And then I repeat the exact same process the next time. Habits, they die hard. In light of my back-and-forth attitude, I've compiled a short list of the things I think are the best and the worst about first dates....

Best: Someone wants to go out with you again! You might not die alone! Yay!
Worst: If the guy turns out to be awful, well…..You're totally going to die alone! Wahhh! (KIDDING.)

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Best: Possibly free drinks/food. As a modern woman, I'm certainly not opposed to splitting the check, but as a broke person, I'm always happy if he picks up the tab and I save a few bucks.
Worst: Bankrupting yourself on dating prep. Or at the very least, the 20 minutes of blow-drying that, for this blogger anyway, doesn't usually happen on a daily basis.

Best: Ooh, the possibility of the perfect first kiss.
Worst: The boring exchange of getting-to-know you information: jobs, siblings, zzzzzzz, etc.

Best: I'm not trying to get you overly excited, but hello, he might be the man of your dreams. Really! Every great relationship started with a first date.
Worst: That super awkward moment when you get to the bar and you're afraid you won't recognize him from his profile pictures (or remember him from that drunken night you met).

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Best: It's a reason to get out of the house and finally wear that new dress that your dog is sick of watching you model in the mirror.
Worst: It's basically a guarantee that you'll get a big zit the morning of the date. Or at least I did.

What do you love about first dates? What do you hate? Should I go on a second date if he asks? Help!

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