Once you get through all the stress and anxiety of your date (hopefully with a lot of fun mixed in between), you have to prepare for the grand finale. The drop off is basically your chance to make a last impression on your date, and depending on how it has gone up to this point will determine what that impression will be for the most part. At this part in the date you’re not going to be able to turn around a night gone bad. It’s just an extension of the mood that the two of you have shared for most of the evening. If it didn’t go so well you might just end up with a handshake and a goodbye. If it went extremely well and there were sparks flying everywhere, it may mean breakfast in the morning. Most of the time it will probably mean something in the middle.
The biggest question that people will face in this portion of the date is whether there will be a goodnight kiss or not. When going on an initial date with someone, the last impression can be an awkward time where you don’t really know how much fun they had with you. Even if you know that they had fun, the question will really be whether or not they see you as a romantic interest or not. They may have had a blast, but see it more as a great friendship, and not a romantic relationship. If you don’t know, what should you do? I have always been a believer that if a date goes well and you are interested in that other person, you try to kiss them at the end of the night. Now, this doesn’t mean that you try to stick your tongue down their throat every time. If the both of you are a little more conservative, then maybe you leave with a kiss on the cheek instead. Either way, a kiss shows that you’re interested in them in a romantic way. It leaves little doubt what your intentions are, and makes it so that they know you want to be more than friends.
Sometimes being too shy can work against you, and this is one part of the date where that’s true. By being too nervous to kiss your date, you may leave them with the false impression that you didn’t enjoy their company in that way, when in reality you feel the exact opposite. The obvious reason people are nervous is because they don’t want to be rejected. The truth is, going for it is the best thing you can do for yourself. First of all, if they do like you as well then you’ll both have your first kiss. Second, if they like you but their not ready, they will let you know that they’re interested but just not ready for that. Third, if they’re not interested in you that way then they’ll let you know. So no matter what happens, you are getting the information you need to know. This is truly important as any real dating situation or relationship should be built upon both people having the same expectations. Don’t worry about rejection, use it as an opportunity to really find out how they feel about you.
Mastering the last impression can really be the cherry on top of your perfect date. A nice night out, good company, great conversation, all capped off with a magical first kiss…sounds good, right? Not all dates will be picture perfect like that, but don’t just think that the last impression doesn’t make a difference otherwise. You want to make sure the last thing they have in their mind about you is something good, not something awkward or weird. Even if they’re not interested in you romantically, be gracious about it and tell them what a great time you had anyway. If they are interested, then congratulations you’re on your way to date number two.
