10 Ways to Avoid Awkward Moments on a First Date …
1. Pay attention!

Photo Credit: Jonathan Clay
If he’s taken the time to tell you the name of his sister, his dog, his favorite romantic movie, his mum, his birthday and his best friend, try to remember them! Atleast some of them anyway. Anything you can pick up will make you seem attentive and interested. Getting it wrong, however, or just obviously not listening, will be hugely embarrassing!
2. Control the conversation!

Photo Credit: *hb19
Don’t bring up anything controversial, and if it happens to come up, be polite and respectful. Save conversations about religion and politics for later! Getting riled up or into an argument on a first date can lead to long kiss and make up ;)
3. Plan the date!

Photo Credit: Ronaldo F Cabuhat
It wouldn’t hurt to think of emergency conversation topics. While, I’d rather avoid the news or anything too serious, it wouldn’t hurt to keep yourself updated about what’s going on. You never know what piece of news might save your date. Common interests are a great save as well. So do your research to avoid those all awkward silent moments. This will also make you seem selfconfident, interesting and aware which are always good qualities!

“Hey.” you say.
“hey.”
You trip and fall over.
“karma…” you laugh.
IT WORKS, TRY IT!
thanks for the nice comments. and yeah, it sucks to sit back and break our heads over what went wrong instead of just accepting that we did our best and que sera sera!
I get scared when the paying issue comes up too! I’d usually feel generous about paying but if the guy pays then ... See more it feels like I owe him. And if we split it, it feels stingy or very causal. = =
LOL I read a lot into it.
Glad that you agree with these tips. The paying issue does seem to be a big one doesn’t it! I don’t know if its me or the differences in culture, but I think ... See more i’ve had it slightly easier. I just offer to pay, or even just make an obvious attempt at reaching for my wallet in the bag – and that’s when I know – mostly the guy stops me or at rare times doesn’t – and is willing to split the cost.
It’s probably just me making a big deal out of it, most just split it down the middle. or one person pays and the other ... See more can ‘pay next time’. thats clever eh? (:
yeah that is quite clever!
I like the don’t invite him in for coffee tip. What’s up with that anyway? Coffee at 11 pm? Get zzz’s > couch smoochies.
The who is paying ordeal is something I freak out about because I don’t mind splitting it but then you never know what to do. Some people take offense to that and others don’t want to pay and get annoyed. Ugh so confusing
i’m with you on the coffee bit. Like you’ve just spent the entire night together where if you really wanted some coffee, you could have gone to a cafe too!! :P
oh and ... See more I’ve been stuck with a bad joke.. but then a good way out of that (which didn’t strike me the first time) is to joke about yourself and how great your jokes are!