How to keep it romantic on a first date

First dates are a lot of things—fun, nerve-wracking, exciting—but most of all, they should be romantic! This is your chance to spark chemistry with the other person to see if you’re a natural fit. A little romance definitely improves your chances of a second date so check out our tips for setting the mood.

This might be somewhere very beautiful or historic, or it might just be somewhere important to your date. For instance, if they’re into wine, a vineyard would be a romantic choice. If they’re more outdoorsy, you could suggest a beautiful arboretum or rose garden. Try to choose a place that feels intimate and unique to them. This is way more romantic than dinner and a movie!

If they’re into the arts, you might suggest going to a museum or an art gallery.
Try to avoid doing a coffee date at a cafe since it won’t feel as natural.
In terms of who pays for the date, a good rule of thumb is that whoever asked for the date should pay. On the other hand, many people believe that men should offer to pay for at least the first date. Either way, it’s generally a nice gesture for either party to at least offer to pay or split the bill.

This might mean taking a salsa class, going for a swim at the beach, or hitting the amusement park together. Do activities that keep you active and talking with each other as opposed to sitting and watching something. This way, you’ll have more opportunities to spark a meaningful connection.

Take a pass on sitting through a long concert or show since this doesn’t give you a chance to interact much with your date.

When you’re on a first date, you’re trying to get a sense of the person—what they’re into, what their personality is like, whether or not they’re funny. Stick with light topics like what bands they like, what their favorite food is, and where they’d love to travel to. Showing deep interest in the other person is definitely more romantic than tuning out to a movie, so make sure you listen closely to their responses.

Don’t feel like you have to talk about heavy stuff. Save discussions about politics, religion, and relationships for later.
Think of it this way, were you a fun way to kill some time, or did you watch the sunrise because you spent all night talking?