How to Exude Confidence on a Date

If you've already asked someone out and gotten a positive response, the hardest part's already behind you -- at least you know your date is interested in you! But faced with the prospect of an afternoon or evening together, it'll be a bit more challenging to keep your composure.

Don't yield to nervous habits -- some annoying behaviors make anyone look like an amateur. Keep your hands still at the table. Don't wring them constantly, and don't shred paper napkins or straw wrappers. Not only does it make you look unsure of yourself, there'll be a mess on the table as a reminder.

Walk smoothly and deliberately, and you'll look as calm as can be. Don't shuffle your feet while you're walking or standing. These are the affectations of much younger, inexperienced guys. Make eye contact when you're talking and listening. It signals that you're confident, but it shows that you respect your date, too. And most of all, smile. Don't force it, but if you're enjoying yourself, it should come naturally.

Another way to show your date you're interested? You should be listening more than you should be talking -- but what you say, and how you say it, is also very important. On the next page, we'll discuss how to get the most from every word out of your mouth.

On a date, especially early in a relationship, it's important to not dominate the conversation. It'll show that you're confident enough to let things progress naturally, and reassure your companion that you don't need constant attention.

Also, if you listen, you'll have the opportunity to get to know your date better, which is the whole point, isn't it? But there are times when the conversation picks up pace and you can enjoy some interesting back-and-forth chatter. Here's how to make the most of it.

When you speak clearly, it'll make your whole date go more smoothly. Conversation will flow better, which will make your date feel like you're easy to talk to. If you have sloppy speech habits (like a lot of young men), it'll take some practice to develop better enunciation. It helps to force yourself to slow down -- rushing will make you hard to understand. This is a skill that takes time to develop, so practice speaking clearly whenever you can.

Remember what we said before about smiling? It also applies here. If you smile when you're talking, it helps your voice sound more confident and happy. (This is hard to get used to, and might be uncomfortable at first. Practice in front of a mirror at home.)

Also, sounding confident depends on what you actually say. Give yourself a bit of credit up front -- assume your date is enjoying herself (unless she does something to indicate otherwise). Don't ask multiple times if she's satisfied with the restaurant or activity you've planned, which can be annoying and insulting. Don't apologize for being nervous, because it just makes you look more nervous.

Learning to modulate your voice will take time, but it's worth the effort to become a suave conversationalist. Need a confidence boost with quicker results? Continue on to the next page.

While you're practicing the tough stuff, here are a few things you can do immediately.

And on a more serious note, make sure you're clean. Your mouth is often an overlooked part of your daily routine. You're probably already brushing, but you really need to floss, especially if you're a regular drinker of coffee or energy drinks. Chemicals in these beverages will cause odors that linger around your mouth, steadily getting worse for hours. Chase a non-water beverage with a glass of water whenever possible, and at the very least, discreetly chew sugar-free or whitening gum. (Mint flavors will smell subtly fresher than sweet or fruit varieties.)

Some doctors believe that teen guys are more prone to poor hygiene -- it's just sloppy habits, they say, based on a general unawareness of proper procedure and how that affects appearance [source: Griffin]. If your hygiene skills have been below par so far, it's not too late to get a fresh start. You should be proud to take care of yourself.

Chances are you'll be dating for years before you find the right person, but that's not supposed to be discouraging -- this is exciting! There's lots more information on the page with links to articles about socializing and navigating the romantic landscape.