7 Ways to be a Great Date. When it comes to dating, many of us worry about the wrong things: Will he laugh at my jokes? Be impressed by my job? Notice that my hair is out of place? The result: our attempt to make a good impression frequently backfires. After all, who wants to be around such a wreck.

1. SUGGEST AN ACTIVITY THAT YOU KNOW YOU'D ENJOY. If there's a movie that you've been dying to see, a new restaurant that you're curious to try, or a museum exhibit that you want to check out, a date is a great excuse to get yourself there. If you do something you've always wanted to do anyway, then you can't lose. And it will make you a better date because you're having fun.
2. GIVE YOURSELF "GOOD DATE KARMA." No matter how dismal a date is, always be polite and always stick it out until the end. You do not want to get a reputation of being someone who mistreats their dates. You never know -- he/she might have friends they can introduce you to. The point being -- if you're a good date, good dates will find you.
3. LET'S GET PHYSICAL. If the thought of coming up with several hours of conversation with a new person gives you hives, suggest a sporty activity like bowling, pool, or even just going for a walk. If you're shooting darts or playing a video game, you won't feel the pressure to keep up a nonstop conversation. Plus, you'll have some natural opportunities to flirt -- with good-natured competition and gentle teasing. But don't go overboard and pick something that demands too much of a challenge. Bungee-jumping on a first-date is a definite no-no.
4. RELAX -- GO WITH THE FLOW. OK, maybe the waitress is rude, the chicken rubbery, and the table affords a grand view of the kitchen. No dates are ever perfect, but you'll make a far better impression if you simply roll with the punches than if you complain. You're not compromising your principles if you don't speak out about mishaps or mediocre service. You're just sucking it up for the sake of a positive atmosphere. Eat that lukewarm enchilada with a smile.
5. DON'T BE AFRAID TO DATE MANY PEOPLE. Once upon a time, you had to go to a party, meet someone at work, or have friends fix you up for a date. Phone lines and the internet has changed all that. Now anyone with access to a phone line or a computer can line up a full schedule of hookups in no time. Sure, you want to be picky -- but by going out with a lot of people (not necessarily sleeping with every one), you'll naturally become more comfortable with the process. And you'll also find that you begin to sharpen your ability to discern your likes and dislikes. That's the key to starting a good relationship -- knowing from experience what you really like and don't like.
6. CHECK YOUR BILL-PAYING MANNERS. It's fine to split the bill, but don't whip out a calculator and tell him he/she owes more because they had the soup. It's also fine to let him/her pay -- you can always pay on the next date. However, you should never expect anyone to pay.
7. STAY IN TOUCH WITH CURRENT EVENTS. If you've got a big date coming up, make a point to stay in tune with the news -- it will give you something to talk about after you've told each other how many brothers and sisters you have. It's not that you have to study for your date -- but it's not good to come with no knowledge of the world around you. You don't want to miss out on what could be a great conversation.

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