4 Ways to Make the Best of a Bad Date

Let’s face it: sometimes you’d rather go to the dentist than go on another date, especially if you’ve been online dating and meeting a ton of people. It can be exhausting, because not everyone is going to be right for you. In fact, the vast majority of romantic candidates aren’t going to make it past a few dates.

But sometimes dating can go horribly wrong. Let’s say you meet a man, and he says something offensive, or he is on his phone for half the date instead of talking to you, or he keeps flirting with your waitress instead of you. Do you make an excuse and take off? Do you sneak out through the bathroom? Do you throw your glass of wine in his face?

First, it’s important to have a little perspective, especially if you’re holding a glass of wine that you’re tempted to throw. Is he really that awful, or are you just not a good fit? Before you go storming out, it’s important to give it a real chance. There’s a high potential for misunderstanding when two people don’t know each other.

So how do you make the best of a bad date? Here are four tips:

Don’t pre-judge. If you decide within two minutes that your date isn’t right for you, don’t just mentally check out or make an excuse to leave. Engage a little more. Give it a real chance. How many friends do you have where it took time to get to know them? Each person is different, and those who are good “daters” might not be great partners. Give every date the benefit of the doubt.

Don't be a jerk. I was on a date with a man who confided in me that if a date wasn’t going well, he’d make an excuse, head for the bathroom, and make a hasty exit – leaving her with the bill! Not only was this rude, but it totally ruined any chance of our connecting. Consider how you like being treated and extend the same kindness to others.

Switch up the venue. Are you bored to tears over coffee? Instead of just hanging around for another twenty minutes until you make an excuse to leave, suggest you take a walk. Try a different setting and see if it helps stir things up.

Cut it short with respect. Not everyone is going to be right for you. But if you feel that your date is hopelessly angry or rude or is otherwise making you uncomfortable, then try an honest approach. Let him know that you’re just not a fit, and politely excuse yourself. Just make sure it isn’t within the first ten minutes of the date – that you’ve really given things a chance.