Getting to that first date is what online dating is all about. You may have no trouble at all planning your next steps but for some it's very different. Some singles have chosen the online dating route because the offline approach can be a bit intimidating. But in the end you have to have that offline date, and you have to be ready at some point to bite the bullet.

This is the most exciting part of online dating. Meeting that single offline that you have been getting to know for a short while. You would have been sending each other e-mails chatting on your instant messenger while slowly building a relationship. Once you have started some communication that's the hard part over with. You've already broken the ice so the first date should be just a formality.

You can warm yourself up to it more by having a couple of phone calls first. Getting to the first date isn't a race, you have to pace yourself. See what the relationship is like over the phone. You will tell a lot more about someone when they are actually speaking rather than typing messages. It will confirm that you have the same connection when chatting for real as you had online. See if they like your humor over the phone. It's not the time to get nervous as it will be the same for both of you. You don't need to feel any love coming over the line you just need to feel your getting along well. If the first phone call is very successful then there will be no need for a second one. Let the phone call flow into the first offline date.

When you go on the first date arrange somewhere quiet like a coffee shop. This is just going to be a trial for your second date, when you can go to a nice restaurant. The first date you're still in the getting used to each other stage. You don't want to be doing that over a nice meal. When you're eating a meal you want to feel comfortable so the first date will get the initial bonding out of the way.

Keep the date short as well so you leave them wanting more. Have your questions in your mind before you go. You don't want to run the date into any uncomfortable silences. Even if there's more you would love to know, leave it for the second date. You will open up with each other easier, and your questions will be answered with a more open attitude.

Don't ever get disheartened if your date offline doesn't go to plan. The first single you date will not be the one you end up marrying. Use it a learning experience. It will make the next one a lot easier, and then if that one doesn't work out the next one will be easier still. If they're not a success then they just wasn't meant to be. It won't be anyone's fault. You will just need to get over it, and move on to the next one, which you will look more forward too.

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About The Author
Jason King is the web master and dating adviser at http://www.the-online-dating-reviews.com