September 2026
We get asked a lot about the kind of feedback we receive from clients about some of the unpleasant things they've experienced on first dates in the past. There are many stories, some quite funny, and some pretty horrific. Ditiro clients tend to be well behaved, however, there are a couple of things you might want to be conscious of that can really put your date off.
Constantly talking about your ex creates the impression that you haven't quite gotten over them, which may make your date already feel like second best before you've even gotten a chance to get to know each other. It's fine to answer a question here and there, such as “why did your last relationship end”, but do not lean into the topic and start talking about your ex at length, to the point where you start making unfounded comparisons between your ex and this new, possibly amazing person you haven't given yourself the opportunity to get to know. This is a sure way to send your new prospect running for the hills.
It's fine to express an opinion about something, but don't start descending into a lengthy monologue about what the person should or should've done about an element of their life they have just shared with you. They are sharing that bit of themselves to give you insight into who they are, which is not an invitation to antagonize or lecture them.
So you believe they could've done something better with their career, based on what they've just told you? This is your first date, and there might be more to the context surrounding their career choices that they are not quite ready to share. Reserve your advice and comments about sensitive topics for later in the relationship, if this works out, the point at which you'll likely understand the person and their life choices better.
Things that you say on your first date can catch up with you 15 years into your relationship, when you're married with kids. Once you start a lie, you have to maintain it, and the longer you keep telling it, the harder it becomes to tell the truth. Do not make up a million-dollar inheritance that your grandfather is leaving you because you're excited about how your date is going. There's no reason to create the impression that you're related to the president, and there's definitely no reason to imply that you dated a high-net-worth celebrity.
It's understandable to feel the pressure to “level up” when you realise that your date has more going for them than you do. They are not competing with you: in all likelihood they are sharing the positive things about their lives to impress you, because they are impressed with your great personality and really like you.
A small lie can really change the dynamic of your relationship once it gets revealed later, so it's best to simply put your authentic self forward. You, as you are, are more than enough for someone who is right for you, no matter how much better you might perceive them to be doing in life.
It's understandable to be nervous and to do or say things that may put off your potential partner on a first date, but as long as you are honest and sincere, things will surely work out for the best in the end. Ready to make the leap to finding that special someone? Our Romantic Partner Solutions Package is where to begin.
Dating is daunting in modern dating, especially for those of us in our late thirties. An honest, funny look at the search, and why it's not too late.
Do you always gravitate towards the same wine? Your personality might have something to do with that.
Struggling with relationships? The experts have a bit of advice for you: four truths that make lasting love possible.
Having someone special over and stuck for snack ideas? A simple, deliciously filling recipe to enjoy with a glass of wine.
We've covered what not to do on a first date. Now let's look at the things you can do to make it a little more pleasant.
A delicious low-carb pumpkin pancake recipe that will have your new special someone smiling the whole day, with you in mind.
Relationships, like anything that grows, need nurturing. Six considered practices to keep yours blossoming, from taking time apart to fighting fairly.
Much of what we search for in a partner is what we can provide for ourselves. Why self-awareness is the greatest gift you bring to any relationship.
The people we work with are doctors, founders, executives and mothers of grown children, and the hope they carry is the same at 35 as it was at 25.
Why a considered introduction over coffee feels so different from a match notification, and how we prepare both people for it.
For established professionals, the true cost of dating apps is not the subscription: it is the hours. Here is how we think about spending them well.