4 Dating mistakes to avoid

How To Avoid Common Dating Pitfalls

You go out an a date, and sometimes a second date, and then it seems like things always fall flat. Why? Check out these dating mistakes to see if you're making an avoidable blunder.

Couple on a date

There's finesse to being a good first date; how you present yourself and what your expectations are play into whether the first date will lead to more dates or if the guy just won't be into you. Check out these four common mistakes and see if you're guilty of any of them.

You barrage him with questions

Yes, a first date is a chance to get to know each other better, but it should not feel like you're interviewing him for a job — or worse, that he's being interrogated by the police! There needs to be give-and-take in the conversation. Ideally, chit-chat should flow, but cut the guy some slack if things are not smooth; either of you may be nervous, after all. Also, even if you're dying to know, resist the urge on that first date to find out if and when he wants to get married and have kids.

You go off on a rant

Hanging out with a negative person can be completely draining, so even if you've had the crummiest day at the office or you are dealing with an ongoing feud with your roommate, your date is not the time to be venting your frustrations. Leave your pent-up frustration at home (vent to your BFF after your date) and go to your date with a pleasant mood and open mind.

You have a chick-flick view of love

So, you want to be swept off your feet by the hunky guy just like Reese Witherspoon and Katherine Heigl in their latest smash movie? Well, you're only setting yourself up to be disappointed (and single). Movies are not real life. Chances are your date won't be that charming and will have few, if any, grand movie-worthy gestures up his sleeve. Guys you meet will have baggage and flaws, but this is what's made them who they are. Learn to accept what real life (and love) entail.

You morph into someone else

He's cute and you're crushing on him and all of a sudden you're rambling on about how much you're a fan of exactly the same things he is because you're trying to impress him. This might work in the short term, but playing someone you're not can't last and won't be satisfying for either of you. Don't you want to be able to be yourself with your partner?