For singles looking for love online, is it okay to be late when the two of you meet up for that big first date? Sophisticated singles are used to arriving “whenever” for potlucks and cocktail parties at friends’ houses. Is it the same social etiquette for the first date? Why it’s not cool to be elegantly late for your date and how to avoid it. Read on to find out more.

First Date Dating Success Tip: Show Up On Time

With so many singles living in metropolitan areas, there are always the variables of traffic and commute traffic. It’s a running joke in Southern California in Los Angeles and Orange County that there’s always an accident on the 405 freeway. Make sure you know the route you’ll be taking to your appointment and allow plenty of time to get there. It’s even better to plan to arrive a few minutes early. You show the greatest respect, consideration, and honor to your date and to yourself when you arrive early and are on time for your date.

If you live in a metropolitan area like New York or Los Angeles, where overnight parking can be a challenge, you know that valet parking will be available. Yes, it will cost something. Call the restaurant where you will meet and find out how much it costs. Plan that cost as part of the cost of the appointment. If you live in such an area, please use valet parking. Don’t make your date wait 45 minutes looking for free parking thinking she’ll wait for you. When you do that, you’re saying, “I value your precious time less than the cost of a valet.” Yes, you will create a lasting first impression. It just won’t be the one you want.

It is the 21st century. Things happen. If things take a turn for the worse and there’s a big car accident, you exchanged each other’s cell phone numbers when you agreed and agreed to this first date, right? Well, then call your date. This is not the time for texting. That seems weak for both men and women. Give them some sort of adjusted ETA.

It will then be up to your appointment to stay and meet with you or to cancel that appointment. 99% of the time, if you are more than 15 minutes late for your appointment, your appointment will walk away if you don’t call and check with them. You will show up and he or she will be gone. If you call now and ask your date to come back, you will have completely interrupted the evening. This is not the way to start a romantic relationship. Avoid all that confusion by simply planning ahead and giving yourself plenty of time. It’s better to arrive early and sit at the bar and have a drink of sparkling water for 20 minutes than to be late.

When you show consideration, kindness, and respect for yourself and your date by showing up a few minutes early and meeting your date on time, you’re guaranteed to have a great first date! And your date too, with you!