First dates can be exciting and nerve-wracking at the same time, but the bottom line is that we all want to create a certain first impression.

Sad to say, more often than not, some ladies do it all wrong.

However, there are some common mistakes women make in the quest for rooting for themselves.

Using your phones- 

You probably met your date online and even googled up the location and the kind of food to order.  I mean, what would we do without our phones?

But once it is just the two of you, you need to be courteous enough to put away your phone and devote all your attention to your date.

“One of the things that can really put me off during a date is when the lady keeps checking and receiving calls on her phone. I advise women to always have their phone on silent mode and out of reach,” says Owino*, a Nairobi resident.

Asking for favours-

“I know you do not know me well, but kindly can you do me a favour…”

Premature request for favours has effectively led to the destructions of many potentially-great relationships.

Sis, you only know his social media name, but you have the audacity to try manipulating him into giving you money.

Don’t make it look like he is the Messiah you’ve been waiting for to take away all your life troubles.

Testing his financial muscle-  

Ladies, as much as you would like to know how deep his pocket is, please do not engage in your little quest on the first day. Just go through it with an open mind.

Ordering the most expensive item in the menu just to try and spot for a bead of sweat forming on his forehead, is not just wicked but unacceptable.

“If I take you out on a date, kindly follow my lead. If I order a meal worth Ksh300. Please do not go for a meal whose price is beyond Ksh350. I will definitely ask a lady for another date if she doesn’t dent my pocket on the first date,” says Kinyanjui*, another city dweller.

Also, don’t show up completely broke. Don’t stoop to the level of asking for bus-fare on a first date.

Being too comfortable-

One problem that some women have is talking too much on a date. The unfortunate thing is that they are not even aware of their blubbering.

“You do not have to tell me everything about yourself on the first day; there is still more time for that. Calling me pet-names like ‘babe’, ‘honey’ on a first date is also a huge turn off,” says another Nairobi resident, Kibet*.

‘Excess’ make-up-

“It is really annoying how some ladies come for a date looking so plastic with all the make-up on their faces. Overdone lipstick can be a turn-off to some men,” said Cosmas*.

“This may sound impolite, but excess make-up reminds me of a dead body,” added Cosmas*.

Showing up with the girl gang-

“If I am taking you out on date, then you shouldn’t bring your friends along. What if I hadn’t financially factored in your friends’ expenses?” posed Owino*.