Dating a friend can be a lot of fun but equally nerve-wrecking. On one hand, you know this person so well that you can be yourself without any inhibitions. However, at the same time, you will be nervous because finally you are passing that threshold of friendship and entering into the romantic zone.
It isn't entirely a bad idea to date a friend but the stronger your bond is the higher will be the stakes. So, if you have mutually decided to date each other, you need to be careful as to how you take things forward. This way, even if things don't work out as you thought, you two can go back to being friends. But let’s not be so pessimistic and hope things work out well.
Here are some useful tips you can follow if taking a longtime friend to your first date makes you awkward and nervous:
1. Consider their choices
Take advantage of knowing each other interests and make choices accordingly. If you know what kind of person they are and what food they eat, take care of these likes and dislikes. Take special care in deciding the place and menu. If they like quiet places, keep the date low-key. Find out some first date ideas that will suit them and their personality. This will assure them that dating you is the right thing to do and you both are not making a mistake.
2. Discuss what made you interested in them
Since you both already know almost everything about each other, you may run out of topics during the first date. It’s better to discuss what made you interested in them and ask them the same. This will keep things romantic and you won’t feel like hanging out with a longtime friend. You can talk in length about things you like about them and how you decided to give them the special place in your life. Besides, it will be interesting to hear from them as to how they fell for you.
3. Stay away from negative topics
If you know your friend well, you will know what topics make them upset or what type of conversations can bring negativity. So, avoid unpleasant topics on the date as it will totally ruin the date. Also, if you happen to know their weaknesses or something about their ex, stay away from such things. Likewise, don’t talk about your own ex, even for drawing a comparison. You shouldn’t make them feel that you are accepting them despite their shortcomings. Assure them that you don’t even think about such trivial things and you really want to have a good time with them.
4. Switch your tone and mood
Although there is a level of comfort that you share with your friend, now that you are on a date, try to change your tone and mood. If you have always been friends who make fun of each other or constantly tease each other, a date may not be a good place to do that. Instead of mocking them, treat them with respect and make them feel special. You don’t want to hurt them by making them feel that you are not taking this date seriously.
5. Don’t rush into anything
It’s understandable that you two already know each other and would want to take things to the next level but be careful that you don’t rush into anything that you might regret later. Make sure that your partner is comfortable with your moves. Hold their hands and stare into their eyes but don’t make unnecessary advances if they are not ready. Also, make sure that you two are on the same page as to how you two treat this new relationship. Are you two interested in something serious or just going with the flow. Any disparity can totally ruin what you have with them.
Dating a friend may not be as difficult as dating a stranger but the stakes are always high. However, that’s no reason to not date a friend when two people share the same feelings. Initially, things may get awkward, but eventually it can turn into a beautiful relationship. Just do a little preparation and you will enjoy a great first date with your friend-cum-partner.