The How-To Lounge: Wait For Your Date Gracefully

January 7, 2008

I'm sure the majority of you would agree — a first dinner date can be really stressful. There's nothing more humiliating than sitting at a table with an empty place-setting staring you in the face while you check your watch relentlessly if your date is late. Instead of falling into full-fledged panic mode, check out these tips on how to wait for a tardy date. Click here to read more.

Don't pull out your cell phone and text your friends incessantly. This only makes you look as uncomfortable as you feel.
Order a drink while you wait. Slowly sipping a glass of wine or a cocktail will soothe your worried mind and give you the look of a girl just out for a drink. Do a little drink research before you head out, and you'll feel that much more confident ordering solo.
Check out the menu. There's no reason why you can't take a glance while you're waiting. It'll also keep your eyes busy, so when he does finally show up, you won't look like you were scanning the room for him.
Start up a conversation with your waiter. He or she might be running around, but if you ask for a drink or an entree recommendation, chances are they'll be happy to chat for a second or two. A few smiles and you're guaranteed attentive service for the remainder of your night.

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26 Comments

Sabrina L 5 years 18 weeks

Yes, look like you are having a BALL with yourself! Makes you all the more attractive!

Sabrina L 5 years 18 weeks

Yes, look like you are having a BALL with yourself! Makes you all the more attractive!

girlfriday 5 years 18 weeks

Did I write "swolled"? Oi. I meant "swollen." I need to go to bed.

girlfriday 5 years 18 weeks

Did I write "swolled"? Oi. I meant "swollen." I need to go to bed.

girlfriday 5 years 18 weeks

The first post about not caring if a guy was in a car accident reminded me of a story. My brother was late to his first blind date with his now wife (they were set up by mutual friends). In fact, on the way there, his car got t-boned and he ended up with a broken sternum and other serious injuries. (And no, he couldn't even send a text - he was totally passed out.)She was so pissed - she waited like an hour at the restaurant. A few days later, after hearing the news, she came to visit him when he was home from the hospital and brought him cookies and stuff. In fact, she nursed him a lot during his recovery even though he looked AWFUL. He was a good looking guy, but his nose was broken, arm in a sling, bruised and swolled all over his face, and his broken sternum made it hard for him to breathe. And 3 years later, they were married! (My brother is completely healthy now thank God.)

girlfriday 5 years 18 weeks

The first post about not caring if a guy was in a car accident reminded me of a story. My brother was late to his first blind date with his now wife (they were set up by mutual friends). In fact, on the way there, his car got t-boned and he ended up with a broken sternum and other serious injuries. (And no, he couldn't even send a text - he was totally passed out.) She was so pissed - she waited like an hour at the restaurant. A few days later, after hearing the news, she came to visit him when he was home from the hospital and brought him cookies and stuff. In fact, she nursed him a lot during his recovery even though he looked AWFUL. He was a good looking guy, but his nose was broken, arm in a sling, bruised and swolled all over his face, and his broken sternum made it hard for him to breathe. And 3 years later, they were married! (My brother is completely healthy now thank God.)

weirdy 5 years 19 weeks

i wouldnt wait all that long.

weirdy 5 years 19 weeks

i wouldnt wait all that long.

silly_pickle 5 years 19 weeks

I dated a guy who was always a half hour late or so. This resulted in speeding, rushing through dinners, and missing the opening credits of movies. I agree with catesugar, is does say that you're not important enough. I think it happens to us more when we're younger, and as we get older we just don't put up with it anymore.If a guy is going to be more than 10 mins late when meeting you somewhere, he needs to call, if he doesn't call or show by the time he's 20 mins late, I would be out of there.

silly_pickle 5 years 19 weeks

I dated a guy who was always a half hour late or so. This resulted in speeding, rushing through dinners, and missing the opening credits of movies. I agree with catesugar, is does say that you're not important enough. I think it happens to us more when we're younger, and as we get older we just don't put up with it anymore. If a guy is going to be more than 10 mins late when meeting you somewhere, he needs to call, if he doesn't call or show by the time he's 20 mins late, I would be out of there.

catesugar 5 years 19 weeks

Always late breaks my heart. It is just another way of saying that I am not important enough. The work or the other family members that "caused" the lateness are just excuses. Planning time efficiently is not hard work.

catesugar 5 years 19 weeks

SparklinSeahorSe 5 years 19 weeks

as long as he calls, it's cool with me. but he'd better apologize profusely. my dad is known for always running late, and my mom told him that if he showed up late to their wedding she wouldn't marry him. he was at the chuch an hour early. :)

Bookish 5 years 19 weeks

If a guy was more than 20 minutes late meeting me for dinner, I'd order something fantastic, get it wrapped up to go, and go home. I'd rather have a fantastic meal at home with my dog and a good movie than wait for some guy who didn't think my time was important. Granted, I'm married, so this scenario doesn't exactly happen to me all the time...

Bookish 5 years 19 weeks

GlowingMoon 5 years 19 weeks

I agree with those tips.

GlowingMoon 5 years 19 weeks

I agree with those tips.

Jennifer777 5 years 19 weeks

My husband was actually late for our first date. BUT he called me to let me know (twice if I remember correctly.) I didn't even have a chance to walk into the restaurant before he called...

GiggleSugar 5 years 19 weeks

Late for a first date? Not a good sign.

pinkflats 5 years 19 weeks

"so I strategically planted myself at the bar with the perfect audience situated next to me (aka, a group of eligible bachelors)." you know team this sounds like a great idea. i think i will take take this up.

Community Manager 5 years 19 weeks

I recall waiting for a date to show up, who happened to be running WAY late (about 20 mins...). Needless to say, I was not very happy sitting there solo, so I strategically planted myself at the bar with the perfect audience situated next to me (aka, a group of eligible bachelors). They drummed up a conversation which weaved in perfectly with my date rushing in almost 30 mins past the hour to find a group of guys talking to me. I think it sends a message to the date, better be on time next time around. ;-)

stefsprl 5 years 19 weeks

My ex told me he would pick me up for our first date between 1:00 and 2:00 (I had school stuff going on at night so we had to do an afternoon date)...he showed up at 2:30. Not pleased, but at that point in my life I was a pushover and never spoke up. I had been sitting and stressing out for an hour and a half. We went out for seven months and it drove me crazy that he couldn't get anywhere even remotely on time. It drove his family nuts, too. Thankfully, my hubby thinks that on time is late and is very punctual! :)

Greggie 5 years 19 weeks

I never waited on a first date - they either picked me up at home or we didn't go out. From there, I might be persuaded to meet, but it's not highly likely.I'd accept a family member dying as an excuse for a no-notification of being late, but that's about it.

Greggie 5 years 19 weeks

I never waited on a first date - they either picked me up at home or we didn't go out. From there, I might be persuaded to meet, but it's not highly likely. I'd accept a family member dying as an excuse for a no-notification of being late, but that's about it.

TheMissus 5 years 19 weeks

Quite frankly... If a gentleman is late meeting me for our first date, I won't go out with him a second time. I'll wait for him to meet me for dinner, and attempt to enjoy dinner. But bottom line: If you're late on the first date, that sets an expectation for me that you don't give a damn about punctuality. I don't care if a family member died. I don't care if you got into a car accident... Or if the train was late... If you're going to be late, let me know as soon as you know... (How hard is it to text message or call?) If I don't get a heads up that you will be more than 10 minutes late, don't expect me to go out with you again. yes, I'm anal about punctuality.

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