It was supposed to be an amazing night. He was cute, funny and charming the first time you met him two weeks ago. Now, sitting cross from him at the table, it’s a very different story. An excessive talker. A bit of bad breath. A twitch that sends you for a loop.
GET TEXT For a single girl, the best invention to come along since chicken cutlets is the text message. Sure, it can keep you in touch with all your BFF’s, but it’s also the best way to get an SOS out there when the Titanic is going down. When out on a date, if you find yourself dealing with the un-dealable, you can send out a distress call to any one of your friends. In turn, your friends can send a life-preserver to keep you above water and feeling fine and dandy.
WORK INTERRUPTION Next, gracefully disengaging yourself from a terror date requires a bit of forethought. The best excuse possible is, of course, the work interruption. Every one of us is now connected to jobs 24/7 through the inventions of the cell phone and the Blackberry. It can drive a person up a stick…sideways. But that very connection to work is just what can save you on a terror date.
S.O.S. When you meet, make sure you put enough time in to size up your date fully. Remember, he’s nervous, too. It may take him a bit of time to loosen up. So go easy. A good rule of thumb is 45 minutes and one cocktail to settle in and be you. However, at minute 46 if you’re feeling that deep dark pit of despair in your stomach, send out the SOS.
SHOW ANNOYANCE Perhaps you have already set up a pre-emptive strike with one of your best gal-or-gay-pals. Perhaps you didn’t think ahead and now have to send the signal. Excuse yourself to the ladies room (DON’T MAKE A BIG POINT OF TAKING YOUR PHONE/BLACKBERRY) and send out an SOS. Make sure to tell your pal that the life-line should not be thrown for another 20-25 minutes. This keeps suspicion at bay and makes the date last a respectable amount of time. When the message/call comes in, do show a bit of mild annoyance at being interrupted on this pleasant evening.
OFFER TO PAY Take the message/call and realize you have no choice but to go back to the office. Apologize profusely and make sure you offer to pay for your half of the date. He will NEVER accept that. Also, make sure you end the date together. Let him walk you to a cab, where you offer your hand (you never kiss on the first date) and tell him what a lovely time you’ve had. If he says, “We should do this again sometime,” simply smile as you get in the cab.
