IRL Meetups after an Online Hook Up

Meeting up online and finding someone who you want to meet is fun and exciting, but meeting IRL (In real life) can be a little daunting!

Online Gay Forum Meet Ups

We know that meeting people you have been chatting to on a gay forum like www.GayScene.org can be nerve wracking, even if you think you know the person quite well there is always some anticipation. If you have decided to meet someone you have met on a Gay Forum, then going out for dinner to get more acquainted makes a lot of sense you can get together in a public space for a date and get to know each other better.

There’s no guarantee that a first IRL meet up will go well and everyone is nervous on them.  But there are some tips that can help you manoeuvre the minefield of that first meeting and make the right impression. We think a meal is a great place to start when meeting someone IRL for the first time. Here are our first meal date tips;

IRL Venue Selection

A mutually agreed place to meet is always a good idea, and if you are the one making the suggestions for the food then a place where you have been before is a good idea. That way you know the quality of the food and the prices too, on pricing, if you decide in advance to split the bill between you this stops any awkward conversations later in the evening. Meeting approximately halfway between your two houses is also a good idea. While a disastrous meal might seem like a funny story for later years, the reality of it can be the end of the potential relationship before it starts.  So, go with a safe bet and choose a nice quality restaurant that you have previously had a positive experience.

At the Dinner Table

Obviously, when you are eating, remember your table manners – little things like scraping cutlery across the plate or eating with your mouth open are top reasons why people have put a date down as a bad experience.  But it is also important to enjoy the meal and take your time.  There is the urge to get through the food quickly and move on to a sexier part of the evening but don’t rush, get to know the person you are with and ensure you enjoy their company. Enjoying food and taking your time with your meal is an important tip for a first date and can also fill in some of those gaps between conversion.

Not Too Much Alcohol

For most of us, a little alcohol on a first date helps to calm those nerves but don’t go over the top and end up being a bit drunk – this never creates the right first impression.  Savour your wine or other drink and taste it, don’t just knock it back to get that slight buzz to reduce your nerves.  And do a little research before the meal about what might be the best pairing of wine with possible meal options – you don’t need to be an expert, but a suggestion can make a good impression.

Keep the Conversation Casual

It can be hard to chat with someone you hardly know but sitting around saying nothing won’t work either.  Start talking about something that you enjoy or are passionate about and this can then lead into topics that your date cares about.  You often find shared interests that way that can keep you chatting for most of the evening.  If all else fails, find safe ground such as job or family to start the conversion.

Gay Forum Dates are Fun

Remember to enjoy yourself, you are meeting up with someone you have met on a Gay Forum for a reason, you must have liked them or had a similar interest for you to be interested in meeting them. So, stay safe, get to know the person you are with and enjoy yourself and if you find the person is not what you thought, be polite and excuse yourself after the meal. No harm done for either of you, but a potentially good relationship could develop!