[wp_ad_camp_1]
(Image Source: Dan McKay)
Whether you’ve made the next step with a regular date or hopped into bed with a stranger from a bar, these top tips will help you make it out the door with your dignity in tact.
Don’t expect to spend the next day with them. They have a life all of their own and your presence will disrupt their plans for the day. You need at least to pretend you too have a life by getting out of bed and (pretending) to be busy. Harbouring expectations of a romantic morning between the sheets may lead to disappointment and puts unnecessary pressure on a fledgling relationship.
Leaving is even better if you do it early as you will be able to avoid any conversation with your still sleepy partner, and can exit before anyone else living in the house wakes up (flat-mates and parents rather than spouses). This trick is easy to pull-off without it seeming contrived. Set an alarm on your phone for around 6.30am, and give it an important title. The name of the alarm should indicate a long-standing commitment that can’t be easily re-arranged such as ‘vet appointment’, or ‘conference call’. The moment the alarm name flashes up on your phone you have an instant, credible excuse to leave.
This method is especially useful if the night before happened at your place and you need to eject your partner from the building.
Besides the aforementioned wake up call, you should not be touching your phone while still in the company of your date. Their anxiety will be rocketing sky high as they imagine you updating your Facebook status, sharing the news with friends, or hooking up with someone new on a free dating site while they are lying in post-coital bliss.
[wp_ad_camp_2]
One of the most embarrassing moments of your life, will be trying to wriggle out of bed, naked in full view, then hunting around the room for your underwear and clothes. If you can keep your head in the heat of the moment, try to disrobe beside the bed where your clothes can be easily reached from the safety of the duvet. If your garments have been passionately flung far and wide, cover up with a shirt or towel when the other person is in the bathroom or kitchen, and quickly retrieve them.
Even if the night didn’t go as you’d hoped, or once the sun has risen you are questioning your selection of partner, be nice. This is a real person with real feelings, who deserves respect and kindness. You don’t need to pretend to be interested in something more serious, just be polite and thank them for a fun night.
Don’t heap pressure on the situation by trying to get their number, or asking for another date. Grab a scrap of paper and leave a cute note saying you had fun, would like to see them again, and write down your number. Leave it on the side, but avoid hours of angst over ‘did they find my note’ by saying breezily, ‘I left my number in the kitchen’ before casually waltzing out the door.
Tempting though it may be to brag to all your friends about your awesome conquest, or update your Facebook status with something cryptic like ‘sooooo tired after a busy night 😉 ‘, keep your evening’s shenanigans to yourself. Eventually news of your boastings will get back to date, which can leave them feeling disrespected, and in any case, you really ought to have outgrown this showmanship before adulthood.
In short, be nice, be respectful, but leave quickly.