Turn A Bad Date Around

By Amanda Rodriguez, Copy Cutie

credit: York Berlin (Flickr)Not all guys can be Prince Charming. In my dating career, I have experienced both amazing dates and some that seemed to be a cruel joke. I once had a date show up 45 minutes late for a movie, pay (for only himself) with a hundred, “forget” to offer me snacks, but still expect a kiss at the end of the night. While that is not quite what he got, the point is that dating duds happen sometimes; however, there are ways to make the best of a bad situation. Here are some ways to bail out a date that seems to be sinking quickly.

Be Smart
The best way to avoid a bad date waiting to happen is to pay close attention to what your prospect says in their messages: if they tell you their favorite place to eat is Subway, don’t expect to be taken to a French Bistro. If you two like rival sports teams, don’t expect to use your season tickets with them. While these aren’t total deal-breakers, the conversations you have leading up to your date will be key factors in revealing what you should steer clear of. 

Enjoy The Outing
Regardless of how bad things might be going, there’s almost always something to enjoy about an evening out. If you go out for coffee, get yourself a fun pastry. If you go to the movies, be thankful for two hours away from reality. There’s usually an upside to going out on a date, even if it’s a total dud. 

Change Location
Sometimes bad dates can be saved! If your date is going south and it’s because of a bad choice in scenery, make a polite suggestion to move. How about that nice Thai place you love? Maybe that café not too far from your original meeting place. Different people blossom in different environments. Just try to make your date feel comfortable. 

Enjoy The Freebie
If your date can’t seem to stop talking about himself, take that time to look at the menu and… appreciate the food. I hate to suggest ordering the most expensive item on the menu, but I will say don’t be shy about ordering a fancy drink or two to make the “All About ___” show more bearable. 

Reevaluate For The Future
Dating is difficult!. If your last date wanted to go dutch, put the bill on you, or even if they outright didn’t show—remember that it’s not your fault, but you’ve got to learn from your mistakes. Try going for a different type of guy next time. No matter how horrible the night may finish, keep in mind that there’s always tomorrow to go out with someone new. After all, one bad apple shouldn’t stop you from trying a different fruit.

What lessons have you learned from your bad dates? Let us know below!