First dates can be exciting yet tense. What to wear, where to go and what to talk about are all things that add to the nervousness of meeting someone new.

It’s natural to worry about making a good impression on a date. But rather than stressing about your date, take a few hints from these common mistakes so you can relax and enjoy your evening.

Showing Up Late
Singles may believe that being a few minutes late will help ease their nervousness. The problem is, when you arrive fashionably late you’re really telling someone subconsciously that you don’t really care about his or her time. Even if the rest of the date goes well, this may be one area your date will remember and hold against you.

Correcting your mistake: Apologize sincerely and move on with the rest of your date. Next time make an effort to be on time.

Talking About Yourself Too Much
Part of good first date conversation is asking about your date. Going on and on about yourself without letting your date get a word in edgewise is bad form. You may ramble on and on because of nerves, but rather than feel sorry for you, your date may just think you’re full of yourself.

Correcting your mistake: If you notice your date frowning at you while you babble on, stop and say, “But I’m rambling here. Let me find out more about you.” Then ask an open-ended question that will allow your date to talk for a while.

Complaining About Your Ex’s
It’s natural for most people to bring up former relationships when they’re on a first date, but you should limit the information you give to just the basics. Don’t get into the resentment you have or the way your ex treated you. A first date isn’t the time to get feelings off your chest. Rather, you should be getting a sense of the person sitting in front of you.

Correcting your mistake: Check your emotions ahead of time. Remind yourself that the person you are about to meet isn’t your ex. He or she is someone new that is taking time out of his or her busy day to meet with you. Give them the full attention they deserve. If you do find you’ve mentioned one too many things about your ex, quickly change the subject to the present.

Sex Talk and Inappropriate Clothing
You might want to show your date how much you like him or her by wearing something sexy and chatting about the details of your sexual history. But talk like this will only serve to turn off your date: the exact opposite of what you intend. Keep the conversation to safer topics.

Correcting your mistake: Perhaps you didn’t mean to say something sexual but you were flirting and it just slipped out. If you make a comment that offends your date, apologize.

Talking About the Future
The purpose of a first date is to find out if you like someone enough to see him or her again. That’s it. You don’t want to start thinking about future topics like marriage until you get to know them. Everyone wants to find that perfect someone, but it takes time.

Correcting your mistake: Blurting out something like, “This is something we can tell our grandkids about!” might make your date feel as if you’re desperate. If you say something silly, don’t dwell on it. If you two do end up together you can laugh about it later.

Remember that everyone gets nervous about first dates and many people make the same mistakes you do. Don’t let a gaffe ruin your evening. Continue to have a great time with your date. If your date rejects you for your mistake, simply shrug it off. The right person will appreciate your goof ups as much as your perfect moments.

Image: sxc.hu.

More on Internet dating and relationships:

• Get Your Ex Back
• How to Call or Email a Guy
• Get Your Online Profile in Order and Find Great Date Ideas – in one ebook