How to Ruin a Date

The following article is a guest post, courtesy of Lily Rudolph

Of course if I told you that you could ruin a date by showing up on acid wearing nothing but gold paint it would be true, but you would never actually do that….right?  Here are four common ways that people ruin their chances with that special someone, and dating tips to help you avoid these pitfalls.
1. Arriving late without calling or texting beforehand and giving no explanation as to where you were

To prevent this: Contact your date beforehand to explain that you will be late.  When you arrive simply apologize and move on.  Don’t dwell on it.  If you are one of those people who is perpetually late you should check out Twist, a free app that estimates your arrival time and let’s your friends know your ETA.
2. Talking too much or too little  

Here’s an idea: act really nervous, don’t look your date in the eye and go off on a monologue about your life.  Don’t forget to psychoanalyze yourself and emphasize your tumultuous dating history just to keep things interesting.  Speak really really quickly so there is no pause for your date to enter the conversation.  Sound ridiculous?  You would be surprised as to how many people actually do this.  Meanwhile, some have the opposite nervous reaction: talking too little.  If you become a mute during a date or answer questions with short, one-word answers, your silence emphasizes the awkwardness of the date.
To prevent this nervous chatter: Try distracting yourself with some Youtube comedy to relax before you go out.  Watch anything by Jenna Marbles; she is hilarious!  If you feel like you are talking too much ask your date questions and make an effort to keep the conversation flowing back and forth.
3. Texting and Playing Games on Your Phone

I know it’s tempting, your phone vibrates and you have to know who messaged you.  What did they say?  Maybe someone commented on your Facebook status.  The entire time that you have been obsessing over your phone, you have lost track of what your date has been saying.  You figure you have blown it now anyway so you go for the phone, noooooo.  Now you are stuck in Smartphone Land and your date feels completely ignored.
To prevent this: Set your phone on silent and leave it in your bag or pocket – somewhere out of sight.  If this simple action causes fiending and anxiety you might have nomophobia, the fear of being out of mobile contact.  BE CAREFUL, when nomophobia goes untreated it can lead to phone addiction.  If you or someone you know shows symptoms of nomophobia Hanna Mittelstaedt’s Nomophobia App can help.
4. Drinking too much

The logic: if one drink makes me feel sexy, ten drinks will make me feel ten time sexier right?  Wrong!
To prevent this: don’t get too drunk, you can do it.  I believe in you!