Article written by: Ankush Tandon, a contributing author for Lightning Speed Dating blog

It’s entirely understandable if you ended up hugging your crush or date “too tight” if you got the chance. But if you thought this is an attractive impression… well, we beg to differ. Maintain some distance from your date and look them in the eye. Don’t avert your Gaze if there is something distracting, down there. If you can tame the passion within you at least for one night, we name success for you.

Do not Bring unnecessary agents like things of past, family background, exes, and too much flattery. You can spice it up a notch but too much, spices have always been too costly (ah, the pun). Loosen your jaws and slacken your shoulders, retain an open and warm gaze that welcomes your date to share more personal details about themselves and add your input as and when you feel like you should. Don’t talk too much about yourself, you don’t want your partner to guess you are conceited. Save it for some other day. Try to hold the image up until the night comes to an end. Make sure that you’ve praised your date but not passed a comment like you were, well… ogling them.

Another thing to note is, no cell phones. Your date should be the one feeling special, not your cell Phone. Divert calls or do anything it takes and instil value into your gaze and gestures. Everyone likes a person who knows how to treat their date right.

Don’t bring work into your conversation too. It cuts the flow. Talk poetry but not work. Try not to complain too much because no one (including me) likes a complaint box. Then there is religion and politics…your date isn’t a convention, but a mere point where you get to be “you”. Don’t go all priest-like on your prospective soul mate.

Limit yourself to the current affairs. Do not pass harsh judgments or eager comments. You aren’t at a centre that abides by confession therapy so, secrets can stay secrets. Show what makes you stand out and slowly you can unravel your mysterious side, as long as you do not overwhelm your date. It might come off as “weird” or “creepy” and you really don’t want your date to label you as a mental patient. Some of us have had our fair share of experiences…

If you’re divorced and you’ve got kids, try to not talk too much about them except for sharing the idea that you are a parent. Get to know your date and you can save all the heavy talk for some other day. Relax and enjoy, the first date doesn’t always have to be a nightmare!

This blog was edited by Amalia Abbar from our Corporate Office.