Uh... Wear clean clothes, don't act like an ass, and don't talk over her? Basic courtesy takes a long way.

If you have a common interest, you already have a starting point for conversation. Just try to relax and see where that takes you. If you can't keep up the conversation, try to think of a follow-up question relating to the subject. People usually like to talk about themselves. Don't try to act like you are someone else, your real personality is going to come out sooner or later anyway.

Flowers are always nice, no matter what some might say. Nothing tacky, just give her a small bunch of whatever fits her. Make sure that it's an uneven amount, though!

And I would simply take her somewhere to eat. Sushi is great. No movie on a first date, just talk and try to get to know each other.

That's very good advice.I am a journalist and she well likes to talk about herself;a lot....so hopefully it shouldn't be too tough.

I am not so sure that she likes flowers. She - well is like a draculina....

I've always thought about this: In my case at least, date always boiled down to walking around and talking. I can't even start to imagine how annoying it gets to carry around the flower for several hours, protecting it from the wind or whatnot. It's a nice gesture I guess, but it just sounds so ... Inpractical.

No screw that, the date is evening dinner (preferably something interesting, at least sushi, maybe something like Moroccan where you eat with your hands and sit on pillows)... WITH WINE. Arrange to watch your horror movies at one of your places, if you are hosting, fucking clean it, well, especially the bathroom. Keep a good stock of DVDs or whatever, rent if you have to, keep some popcorn, sodas, more booze, one high calorie snack, one healthy snack (fruit or a veggie plate you can whip up). Make sure you have condoms but don't intend to use them (i.e. don't intend to have sex, definitely use condoms if you end up having sex).

Make sure everything you do has conversation, make sure you have a list of periods of her life, her travels, or other things you have memorized about which you can ask her. Even when you sound boring to yourself you can always ask her about her. Be interested and ask questions. Smile a lot, be interested, be energetic, and be positive. You may not feel like these things, but it's not "false advertising" it's you making an effort to make her night pleasant. If she's worth a shit she'll figure that out as she realized you aren't quiet that outgoing but were willing to make an effort all FOR HER.

Wow. Well, you guys have horror in common, so that's good. I myself prefer the goth look, but I just look like a typical person.

Keep it simple. No need to do "research" and turn it into an over-analyzed thing. Just think of something to do and go out and do it; what's important is how you guys interact. You could have a good time doing nothing if you're a good fit. If everything is forced, or you arbitrarily just pick something to do, it may end up being uncomfortable.

Relax, be yourself, and see which way the wind blows.

Honestly, lunch or coffee in public is a good thing. Perhaps less necessary if you know her, but in all honesty, light is a good thing, no matter how evil the sun might be.

Movies and darkness are a bad idea for a first date. Admittedly, I have a background in security so I tend to consider the surroundings first, possibility for being stalked second, but it's still something to consider depending upon how well you know her.

Opposites do attract for a period so have fun if you can, but realize that the likelihood of true opposites working is quite low.

How about a walk in the graveyard? Might be right up her alley. :D

Seriously though, whatever both of you consider entertaining will be a good choice for a first date. I wouldn't recommend a movie, play or sports match, though. You need an opportunity to talk and get to know each other, not sit somewhere and watch entertainment in silence. A walk outdoors or a more quiet corner in a quaint little cafe sounds good.

Take her to dinner and use Rohypnol


In seriousness dinner is always good but no Rohypnol

It depends a bit on how well he already knows her, but yeah, that's always a good bet. And really, first dates are about talking, so no movies or things of that nature.

Lunch/coffee/beer or something would probably be okay, whereas a cinema/sports match/nightclub wouldn't. You don't want any excessive distractions if you're trying to get to know the other person.

Maybe it's just me, but I wouldn't bring flowers or any other gift on a first date. If it goes alright, agree to have another one in the near future (no, seriously. Otherwise she might think you didn't enjoy your time), and save your courteous presents for that one. Chances are you can buy one that suits her tastes better than something generic.

And yeah, more often than not opposites tend not to attract in the long run, even though they occasionally do.

Also, good luck.

EDIT: Mind you, apart from the good luck thing, this entire post should be suffixed with "but then again, what do I know" since I'm still with my first girlfriend.

The first date I ever took my wife on we went rock climbing (indoor), went got Thai food, and then went back to my place to watch a couple bad 70's horror films.

SHE asked YOU out, right? So let her figure out what the date is going to be. Then go along for the ride and enjoy it, whatever the date turns out to be.

Or choose something outside the interests of both of you. Part of a relationship is experiencing new stuff together so start with that - plus it puts you on neutral ground, so to speak.

Then again, I've been married so long that this 'advice' might be the worst yo could choose to follow. Anyway, have fun and let us know if you get any.

Buy her a venus flytrap!