What To Avoid Saying On A First Date If You Wanna Come Off As A Relatively Normal Person

First Date tips

In an ideal world, a single sentence wouldn’t derail an entire date, but as us singletons know, daters can be a fickle bunch and what you say can be the iceberg to your blooming relationship.

I’m still not a firm believer in carefully-crafted conversation with someone new, as you’re not really being your Authentic Self™, but there are definitely some things you just straight-up shouldn’t say on a first date unless you want them running for the hills Sound of Music style.

After perusing the latest episode of Lasting Love, Pedestrian.TV X British Paints’ very own dating show that pairs up strangers to bond over an array of DIY activities, my eagle eye did notice a few throwaway lines that had me pushing the pause button.

Although say what you want about the banter, the power couple did a stunning job painting their letterbox a beaush shade of British Paints Mollusk Shell, so if the love fizzles out (which it won’t because love is lasting, you guys), they could go into business as home-reno extraordinaires.

Below, I’ve hand-picked one or two lines from the episode as well as a few lines I’ve personally said to make a date go belly-up. I’m nothing if not fair and it would be the definition of unfair to judge other people’s dating skills while mine leaves much to be desired.

“Are you currently dating anyone else?”

Again, this theoretically a valid question but it’s all about the timing. You two don’t yet know each other from a bar of soap, so it isn’t a stranger’s business to know whether you’re dating around – yet.

If it’s been more than a handful of dates and you see it moving forward, go nuts. If you ask it on a first date, you’re going to look like an overeager Nosey Nelly.

“I don’t watch TV.”

Oh, good for you, you must be so cultured and well-read. Not watching television isn’t some sign of hyper-intellectualism and it just makes you come off like a pompous pineapple.

You might not watch TV, but I doubt you spend every hour of your day working on solving world peace. Get outta here.

“You pronounce [insert word here] weirdly.”

You know what’s not going to guarantee a second date? Criticising the way people speak. Similar to the previous example, you just come off as a wee bit holier than thou and you immediately create a disconnect.

Ignore it and move on, otherwise your date is likely to ignore you and move on.

“I’m looking for someone with lots of dosh.”

Okay, this one was actually pulled from the episode but in all fairness, it appears he was saying it partially in jest. Plus, he works on the Supreme Court so I’d give him a free pass for knowing what he’s about.

Usually though, I’d rather watch Mollusk Shell dry than speak to someone who’s that hung up on moula.

It’s boring.

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