This Is The End?

A date begins when you pick up your lady at her house, or when you meet at the restaurant you two decided on last week. It's clear when it begins. You say "hello", you give each other a hug...and maybe a kiss...and you begin the evening. When, though, does a date end? When should a date end? What are some signs that one person wants the date to end?

Especially in the beginning, the end of a date can be an awkward moment. "Should I go in for a kiss?" "Should I invite him upstairs to my apartment for an after dinner drink?" "Can I just say 'good night' and be over with it already?" Depending on how the date went, many of these questions...and more...will be circling in your head. Your job, as the dater, is to take all of the information about the date and process it in that big 'ole brain of yours. Then, you make a move based on that information. Simple, right?

Except, it never is simple, is it? Rarely are the signs clear that the other person is "into" you. Maybe they are, and maybe they aren't. So, instead of making a fool of yourself, it is my suggestion to always err on the conservative side. When you think a date is done, don't push it any further. Don't try for that extra long kiss; be happy with the little peck you got. Don't ask him to come up to your apartment if you aren't ready for that, let his desires grow instead. Enjoy the date on your terms, and when you're ready for it to end - just make it clear that you're ready for it to end.

What if you want the evening to end early though? If you're having a really miserable time, there is no shame in saying "Thanks, but no thanks." Well, not those exact words of course, but essentially that's what you should say. "I had a lovely evening, but I'm sorry I just don't see this working out." If it's the honest truth, don't worry about anything else. Just speak your mind. Don't be condescending or mean though, that would be unnecessary.

So the next time you're out on a date, remember this advice. Don't push it, and be honest. If it is meant to be, then you will have set the groundwork for a beautiful relationship. If it isn't meant to be, well then you'll be getting yourself out of a bad situation before it can get worse. Good luck singles, dating is an adventure. Enjoy it!