For most people, the whole point of joining an internet dating service is to meet new people and, hopefully, to find someone you want to date. If you're successful, you begin emailing back and forth with someone interesting, and after a while you talk on the phone. If the relationship continues to go well, you will eventually have your first date. With a little forethought and planning, it can be a great experience for both of you.

For your first date, plan to meet somewhere public where there are people around. A restaurant or coffee shop is good. You want a place where you can talk and get to know each other better, but that's not too intimate. Choose a well-lit, safe place and consider meeting during the day. It's important to protect your own safety and to show consideration for the other person's safety, too. Make sure he or she is comfortable with the arrangements.

Limit your alcohol intake - you should keep your wits about you on any first date. Alcohol and recreational drugs impair your judgment, and you need to have a clear mind so that you stay safe, and so that you can get to know the other person better. Being drunk on a first date is not attractive.

Grooming

Dress for the occasion and look your best. You want to make a good first impression on a first date.

Be Polite

If you're male, open doors and let her go through first. Those little courtesies make a terrific first impression. Male or female, don't talk on your cell phone on a first date. Don't use bad language or tell off-color jokes. Say please and thank you and be respectful of your date and of the people around you.

Be Interested and Interesting

Listen when the other person is talking. Ask questions about what he or she says. Make appropriate comments that show you are interested in what he or she is talking about.

Bring up topics of mutual interest. You've been communicating for some time, and you certainly know a few things you have in common.

You don't have to be Chatty Cathy or Charlie on a first date, but do hold up your end of the conversation.

End Well

If the first date is not working out well for either of you, be honest and talk about it. There may be factors involved that you didn't know about, or you may just not hit it off. If you talk openly about it, you can resolve whether or not to pursue the relationship without hurting anybody's feelings.