First-date fiasco – have you ever been to one?

If you meet someone special and are excited about seeing them for the first time, you’re probably a bit scared of what could be wrong. You might have no idea what to wear, you’re scared that you might not have enough topics to discuss, you’re wondering if the man should cover the bill or if it’s better to split it, and other million doubts might be going through your head.

Dating can be stressful as it is, but many things could go wrong. I’m not trying to discourage you from having the time of your life, but I only want you to read these things and have fun doing so. This experience should be thrilling and exciting, and if the chemistry between you two is there, it won’t matter that there will be some moments of awkward silence.

However, speaking of the worst-case scenario, here are some of the things that could give you a first-date fiasco:

1. There’s a third party

First-date fiasco indeed! How would you react if the person you’re supposed to meet tells you a couple of minutes before you get together that someone else will be coming along? You’ll probably be speechless, right? You surely don’t want a third wheel.

Believe it or not, this happened to me a few decades ago. When I was 16, I met a guy at school who asked me out one time. He was extremely cute and very good at math, and I already had a crush on him, so why not?

We were supposed to meet at a milkshake place in the city. When I arrived at the table, two boys were waiting for me. My date told me that his friend was sad, so he asked him to come along. Uhm, yeah, weird.

However, as things moved forward, the boy who was supposed to be my partner realized that everything was a first-date fiasco. Not for me, though, because I discovered I had a lot of things in common with the other guy, and we ended up chatting the entire evening. We didn’t date much, but it’s funny to think about it after many years.

2. They show up late

Another thing that could develop into a first-date fiasco is when your partner shows up an hour late. 15-20 minutes of being late is rather fine, but if it’s more than that and they don’t even let you know about it, you’d better believe you can’t count on them.

However, there’s a chance that something happened or their battery died, but if none of these are true, it’s probably best to not go on a second date with them.

3. They complain too much

Would you like to be with someone who always complains about different things? The food is bad, the drinks taste funky, the restaurant is loud or crowded, the traffic is a pain somewhere, etc.

Even though some things might not be perfect, there’s no need for them to turn the entire thing into a first-date fiasco. After all, you’re there, and that’s all that matters!

4. They talk about their ex too much

It’s understandable to bring the ex-partners into a conversation, but giving too many details is never attractive. It doesn’t matter who brought up the subject, but if your date can’t shut their mouth talking about how badly they were treated, it’s a red flag.

5. They chew with their mouth open

We continue with these things that could turn your experience into a first-date fiasco, and this time we’ll talk about eating. You might be happy that they have healthy teeth, but you don’t want to see them at work, right? Their gums should only be seen by their dentist, not you, especially on a romantic date.

6. They’re not nice to the staff

There’s nothing more off-putting than someone who doesn’t have any manners. If you’re in a restaurant or coffee shop and you notice that your date doesn’t speak politely to the staff, it’s a huge red flag. It shows a lack of respect for other people and their jobs, and it’s a sign that they feel entitled. Even if this doesn’t turn into a first-date fiasco, a lack of manners can be a huge problem for a relationship in the long run.

7. They’re always on their phone

We live in a world where we have technology at our fingertips, so it’s hard to stay away from our phones too much. However, you can make an exception when you meet someone and you want to get to know each other. Unless there’s an emergency or something extremely important, your date is disrespectful if they’re on the phone for the entire evening you spend together.

Do you think that a phone could turn your romantic experience into a first-date fiasco? Let us know in the comments below!

8. They think you’re going to be intimate with them

Another first-date fiasco is when the person you’re out with expects you to sleep with them after the date. Well, whether that’s your plan or not, they shouldn’t assume that’s going to happen just because they asked you out. They’re lucky to be around you in the first place! Let the intimacy happen after a while.

9. You have nothing to discuss

Another way your date could turn into a real disaster is when you and your date have nothing to talk about. As we’ve previously discussed at the beginning of this article, there’s nothing wrong with having a few moments of silence, but if you spend the entire evening thinking about what to say to make the other person respond and engage, it’s not okay.

Of course, they might be shy, and they probably need more time to open up and chat. On the other hand, if you feel like whatever you say won’t break the ice and no discussion will result from it, you probably need to dig deeper or move on.

10. TMI

Another thing that could turn your experience into a first-date fiasco is when your partner shares too much information. Okay, it’s understandable that you want to know each other through good and bad, but some things should be left for other dates.

For instance, back when I was dating, I used to hate when my partner would start talking too much about a short-lived illness they had. Like, can we avoid talking about ingrown toenails until after our third date? Would you, please?

Do you have any first-date fiasco stories you’d like to share with us? Let us know in the comments below, because we’d love to chat about this.

And before you head out, don’t forget that dating should be fun and exciting, not pressured or shockingly weird. Have a good time, be yourself, and everything will be fine! If you had a successful date night and you’d like to get to know your partner better, here’s a fantastic and steamy game to try!

If you find this article helpful and you’d like to check out something else from Detangle Love, here’s a wonderful post for you: 15 Subtle Signs That Hint Your Husband Is Cheating With a Coworker