Filled with awkward pauses, the pressure to impress someone who you barely know, and unexpected twists and turns, first dates can be really tricky. They are about putting your best self out there and is a delicate balance of being open and keeping your wits about you. Everyone's different and there's no real right or wrong when it comes to the game of love. But these are some basic guidelines to increase your chances of impressing a pretty lady.

Before
1.    Plan

Don’t just vaguely ask her where she wants to go or what she wants to do. If you’re the one doing the asking, it’s your responsibility to come up with something that she’ll enjoy. It shows you have initiative, can think ahead, and aren’t shy about taking the lead. When a woman is with a man that has a plan, they feel they can relax and enjoy themselves. Also, pick a place that you are comfortable with, but don’t take her to your regular hangouts.
Pro Tip: Don’t take her to the movies. The whole point of a first date is to get to know the person, and you can’t do this while you’re both staring at a movie screen.

2.    Prepare

You don’t want to give an exam without preparing first, do you? First dates have enough mystique to be terrifying if you’re unprepared. Dating may seem natural and easy from afar, but some of the most seemingly ‘natural and easy’ acts are the ones that are rigorously prepared. Think of interesting topics of conversation and things to say to break the inevitable awkward pauses.

For The Date
3.    Dress Smart

If the girl has agreed to go out with you, she will take a decent amount of time to get ready and look her best. Evidently, she would also expect you to make some effort to look presentable for her. You don’t need to wear a suit and tie to the local pub (unless you are Barney Stinson), but at least make sure that you don’t project yourself as someone who didn’t care enough to get yourself together for your date.
Pro Tip: Remember - a man can be judged by the shoe that he wears, so pay extra attention to those.

4.    Show Up On Time

If you want to impress her, don't make her sit alone at a bar waiting for you. Be at your appointed meeting place at least five minutes early. This gives you the opportunity to situate yourself somewhere you feel comfortable. If you're picking her up, arrive a few minutes early.
Pro Tip: If you're running late, text and keep her posted and be gracious if she’s the one who’s fashionably late.

On The Date
5.    Prove That Chivalry Is Not Dead

The surefire way to get a woman to like you is by being polite, respectful and courteous. So open the door and pull the chair for her, and do not walk in front of her.
Sure, she’s an independent woman. And yes, she can open the doors and pull out her own chair, but women still like it when a guy shows them that chivalry is not completely dead. Neglecting to make these small gestures probably won't ruin your chances with her completely, but when you do, you score brownie points.

6.    Have A Two Sided Conversation

If you’re getting to know each other and are in the Q&A phase, then the ratio of the questions should be 1:1. Questions serve as the basic first date ice-breakers and enable you to get to know one another. When you ask her something, give her enough time to answer. When she asks you something, take a moment to think before you answer; you don’t want to tell her all your embarrassing stories on your first date, do you?
Pro Tip: It doesn't matter if you've been stalking her on Facebook for the last couple of month and you already know that what her dog’s favourite dish is. Ask her questions.

7.    Compliment Her

You think she looks amazing? Say it out loud. Make her feel special - tell her that she’s beautiful, amazing and gorgeous. You think she has good taste in music? Let her know that you feel so.
If at some point during your meeting, you tell your date she’s attractive or that you like the way she flips her hair, she will like you better than if you hadn’t. It’s as simple as that.
Pro Tip: Chances are she has probably heard guys tell her she’s pretty a million times. So to ensure that it doesn’t drown out in the sea of compliments, avoid the clichés and be a little specific - like how she makes an adorable face when she’s bored or her cute smile when you crack some silly joke.

8.    Phones Away

Give your date the full attention that she deserves. Even if you're not texting, checking your phone again and again conveys that something else is way more important than your date. Try to keep your phone out of sight altogether, but if you need to keep it on the table, silence it and put it face-down.
Pro Tip: In case it is absolutely necessary to take a call, apologize before you do, and keep it as short as possible.

9.    Don’t Talk About Your Ex

This is a given. No good has ever come out of talking about your ex on your first date in the history of all first dates. Whether she was an angel or a bitch, regardless of the details, leave her out of the conversation. Otherwise, your date will think that you are still emotionally attached to your old flame, and that is not good.
Pro Tip: If she asks you something about your past relationships, be selectively honest – answer her question with the minimum details necessary. You can always tell her the whole story (if she still wants to know) after you get into a relationship with her; but for that, you need to pass the first date and qualify for the second.

10.    Don’t Ignore Awkward Moments

First dates can be really awkward and you would probably find yourself in the middle of an unpleasant silence on more occasions than one. When you think there’s nothing to say, just crack a joke about it. If something feels awkward or if your mind just went blank speak up and openly acknowledge such uncomfortable moments. By doing so, you’ll be breaking the ice and making her more comfortable too.

11.    Make Eye Contact

Your eyes let the other person know whether you're interested or, as the case may be, bored as hell. Making eye contact shows your confidence and is much better that her catching you staring at her cleavage.

12.    Pay

Even if she offers, insist on paying, especially if you were the one who asked her out in the first place. You’ll have plenty of time in the future to figure out how to split and cover bills if you develop a relationship. But for now, pick up the check.

After    
13.    Say A Proper Goodnight

Don’t let the evening end with a fizzle and meander off into the night. Be a judge for the date and initiate a handshake, a hug or a kiss. Don’t leave her standing there awkwardly at the end of the night.

14.    Ditch The Three Day Rule

If you had a great time, let her know the next day. Ignore the ‘Three Day Rule’; but also, don’t call/text her as soon as you get home. Give her the night to relive in her mind the nice evening that she just had.
You never get a second chance to make a first impression, so when you take out the woman of your dreams on that first date, try to keep this list handy if you want to get around to a second one!