This month's guest columnist is Mary Jo Fey. An
author of several books on relationships as well as a
speaker, columnist and screenwriter, Mary Jo
consults with clients one-on-one regarding their
relationship issues ... whether you're still recovering
from a difficult one, or you're wondering about your
current one, she'll help you discover the secrets to
truly great relationships! For more information, contact
Mary Jo at 303-841-7691 or visit www.outoftheboxx.
com
Dating after your teen years or even 20's is
sometimes pretty scary ground. For many, after years
being married and perhaps living through a tough
divorce, the idea of meeting someone again may
seem awkward, uncertain, or at the very least - you
may have been out of the dating scene for so long that
you don't even know what the rules are anymore! (And
rule books seem scarce!)
And yet, here you are on your first date. Or at least the
first date in years. Dating when you're past the
teenaged years is a bit different and there are some
crucial things to know to help make the experience as
positive as possible.
Whether you met Online or someone set you up, that
first encounter can make or break your outcome in
ways you may not have even considered. Just as first
impressions are everything in a job interview, the first
date can be instant success or immediate dismay -
and much of it you can control with a few simple steps.
1. Who are you? Really?
Are you 45 and posting your photos on the Internet
from when you were thirty-something? Back in the
days when you didn't worry about that touch of gray or
those extra 20 pounds? Well, just how long do you
think you can fool your date once you meet in person?
I was absolutely shocked when I met a guy for our first
date after hooking up on the Net. His photos were
incredible! He was fit and absolutely tall, dark, and
handsome. Yet, as I walked through the nearly empty
bar 3 times looking for him, wondering if he'd arrived
yet or not, one thing had stood out from our phone
conversation - he had said, "My hair is much longer
now than in my pictures."
No kidding. I finally walked up to the only man with
long hair (a ponytail, actually) and asked him if he was
John. He was. All extra 30 pounds and 20 years more
than his photos led me to believe he was. I couldn't
believe this was even the same man.
Need I say more? If he couldn't be honest with me
about who he was, what else might yet be up his
sleeve? I didn't stick around to find out.
