TIME IS OF ESSENCE
What is possible, however, is to avoid serious slip-ups on dates by being aware of what could go wrong. The most common blunder one could commit is that of tardiness. Being late is out of fashion. Making your date wait for you is totally passé. Explains Melroy De Souza, who dumped his date after she kept him waiting for over an hour, "Not only is it very irritating, it also says that you take your date's time and feelings for granted. Try to show up at least five minutes early at the appointed place."

FIRST IMPRESSION
First impressions last forever, so make sure you make the right one. The way you look, talk or walk is significant to your date who will be trying to size you up. Before you meet your partner, make sure you take care of all the little grooming details. You wouldn't want to turn up with an open fly, buttons that are popping at the seams, food stains on your shirt or shoes that your dog uses as a toy. Puts in Tara Bhimani, "Don't neglect personal hygiene -- good deodorant, flossed teeth, clean socks, et al! If you have to answer nature's call on a date, for goodness sake, don't don't raise a stink!" Whether you are a girl or guy, going out withoutsufficient money is definitely a faux pas. If this should happen, you would either have to avoid going to an upmarket place or make excuses to avoid picking the tab. In case you are totally broke, it would be better to postpone the date. Most of us have had past relationships that we'd rather forget.However, if you and your date happen to meet your ex, even the World Wars would seem bearable. It is best that you stay clear of places you and your ex frequented. Chances are, you'll bump into your past and your present will be history! Arwa Sheikh has this to say: "Please be attentive to what your partner is saying. It will give you a chance to know your partner on a personal level. And try to make sure that the conversation is a friendly dialogue, not one of your lengthy monologues about your left toe!"

DON'T TAKE YOUR PARTNER FOR GRANTED
Last but not the least, don't ever take your partner for granted. Just because you like Chinese food, it doesn't mean that s/he will go gaga over a bowl of Manchow soup. Or, if your idea of a happening date is a night out at a disco, don't assume that s/he will dance to your tunes. Even when it comes to giving gifts, take your sweetheart's personality, likes and dislikes into account, or else your date will be forced to smile when s/he receives a red shirt, when blues and greys are all s/he wears. In the end, the dating game is learnt through trial and error. It gets better with time, once you have got to know each other beyond the technicalities. Who knows, may be you'll be laughing over your first date disaster 15 years down the line when you tell you kids about it!