Picking the best place to go on your first date

The best way to pick a perfect location for that first date is to pick a place you know that you both will enjoy. It is obvious that you don't know too much about your partner, but here are some tips to pick a great place where you can get to know each other and also have a great time.

Ask your partner where they like to hang out when they go out (like with friends). Listen to her/him and then try to take him/her to some place similar, where you know he/she will be comfortable and where the two of you will have a great time.

Think about what you already know about your partner. Try to remember what you two have talked about together. What does your partner enjoy doing? What does your partner like eating? What does your partner hate? Remembering everything is pretty important in order for you to choose the right place.

Pick a place where you both can interact without things being awkward or you feeling like you're on an interview. A good place is a local music venue. Somewhere in the artsy part of town would be good where there's live music.

If you are thinking about going to a coffee shop like Gloria Jeans or Starbucks, go and check the menu first. This will give you more confidence because you don't want to be embarrassed trying to drink/eat something that is foreign which you may not enjoy.

You can take her/him out to dinner. Dinner is a nice option since it allows enough time for casual conversation, plenty of laughs, and a nice time. It let you both get to know one another and eat great food. If what you want is to have some time to talk and get to know each other, this one is the best option.

Go to the movies. A movie is great, if you are careful to pick the right one; try to find out what kind of movies your partner likes: does he/she like comedies, dramas, or horror films? If both of you don't like the same types of films, then try and choose a median that both of you will agree on. Renting a movie could also be an optimal choice, since you would be able to talk to each other while watching a rented movie, whereas you can't at the movie theater. However, this may seem overly presumptuous for a first date.

Don't pick an overly romantic place. Taking your partner somewhere usually reserved for close couples will make him/her feel uncomfortable; such as an overly fancy restaurant, or an exotic place for dancing. He/she will feel almost as if you expect a lot from him/her. You want your partner to feel relaxed and at ease.  

If you're feeling a little adventurous, try to be creative. The first date is the one he/she is going to remember, so picking a place he/she wouldn't expect is a great first impression. Going bowling, Christmas caroling, bake a cake together, or go to an arcade. The possibilities are endless! Just make sure it is not too gushy or showy, because it can cause unnecessary tension and/or awkwardness, and also make sure your partner will enjoy it.

Be modest when it comes to paying for the dinner or certain activity. Whether you be male or female, offering to pay is always a generous gesture. You can always split the cost of activities or you can just pay for all of it outright.

Don't hesitate to ask the other person for their opinion as to where you should go, after all the goal is to make them as comfortable as possible. Try and avoid places you frequent very regularly as you are likely to run into lots of people you know. While this isn't a bad thing, you might end up irritating the other person with a constant stream of people coming up to you and saying hi.

Don't go somewhere too private. Your date might feel uncomfortable. Going to a place with other people, restaurant, movies, mall... These places are good places to start so your date doesn't become uncomfortable and think you expect more than you actually want.

Remember though, if you have initiated the plan, the final say should be yours for the first time. It shows decisiveness and the ability to take the lead, which is a plus point.