The point of dating shouldn't be simply to 'impress' a potential boyfriend, yet not making the most of your good points when you meet up with someone could misconstrue how you are perceived. Showing off the best parts of your personality shows how proud you are of yourself and this could be what seals the relationship deal.

It's easy to get nervous on a first, second and even third date if you particularly like the man you're meeting, but there's no harm in letting them know that. It's much better to simply say 'I'll admit I'm feeling a little anxious' than leave your date wondering why you keep going to the bathroom, or fiddling with everything in sight. It can even be endearing and in most cases they'll breathe a sigh of relief and reply with 'you know what? Me too'. Try and avoid saying 'I always get nervous on first dates' as this implies you've been on a lot of unsuccessful ones and could put them off. Another thing to avoid like the plague is drinking solely to calm your nerves. Nobody wants to date a boozer, so sip slowly and if you feel yourself getting tipsy then order a water as your next drink. You might find yourself in the uncomfortable situation that your date 'accidentally' gets drunk through anxiety, in which case don't roll your eyes and go home, try to sober them up, make sure they get home safely and give them a call the next day to see how they feel. Everyone's got drunk in an inappropriate situation before, so showing your nurturing side will make a hugely good impression.

When it comes to sleeping together, try and be confident. It's hard to do and the temptation to hide under the covers and sneak off to the bathroom to get dressed afterwards is always there, but there's nothing sexier than someone who's comfortable naked. If your date suggests something a little kinky then don't decline to take part simply because you think it'll make you look demure or you want to avoid seeming slutty. Everyone has different sexual desires and a man is always looking for a woman who is willing to experiment in bed. That doesn't mean he's trying to get you to become a dominatrix, but knowing that the option is there is always appealing.

Last but certainly not least is one of the most important things of all: willingness and drive to get on with his friends and family. Remember, these are the people that have shaped him into who he is and what he stands for and if you can't be bothered to show any interest then he's not going to create a separate life for you. Try to start some conversations about what you do, what you're passionate about, your hobbies etc. as this gives a clear image of who you are. When it comes to meeting family, don't jokingly put down your man in front of them. It's tempting to cover up your nerves with this kind of jokey humor but it's actually a lot nicer to throw caution to the wind and show outwardly how much you like him.

Stan Tian

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