It's a date! He is "the one" and you know it! You can't wait to see him and start a serious relationship, move in together, get married, have kids, etc. Now, the first date is important. No matter how casual it may be, you still need to be at your best.

I have many, in fact, too many guy friends to talk to about first dates. Here is what I have gathered for you.

1. The Outfit

It is not a Victoria's Secret audition! Leave some to the imagination. Of course, men are drawn to physical beauty but, too much self-marketing is not a good first impression. Having said that, wrapping yourself up in a blanket conveys a message of insecurity.

2. The Makeup

Nobody wants to buy a Prius in a BMW frame. Men do try to imagine you without the makeup. OK, you may be looking beautiful with your thick eyeliner, fake eyelashes and a pound of foundation, but if things go well, he will see you without them at one point. At that moment, he will be confused, and you will be sad. Moderate makeup is to way to go.

3. Hygiene

Even Cinderella fixed herself up before her first official encounter. Nails, hair and even feet are the places most men secretly check out. If you did not take a shower, planted trees with your hands or ran around barefoot before your arrival, stop by a restroom to fix it as much as you can. You may be the cutest/hottest girl on earth, but body odor is a deal breaker. Plus, how you present yourself indicates how much you cared about this date.

4. Food Order

Do not order the lobster! It is not like you have an omega-3 deficiency all of a sudden. Men do look at the prices. Eat the most expensive item on the menu at your own expense. Don’t complain about the menu either. If you are allergic to something it is perfectly normal to say it but being too picky is annoying. Calorie count? Don’t even go there!

5. How You Treat The Waiter/Waitress

Who is the boss? You sure are not! Don’t be mean to the servers in general anyways, but especially on your date. How you treat the people who work for you says a lot about you. Things may go wrong, food may be late, the waitress may have an attitude, etc. But it is not your date’s fault, don’t make him pay for it with your behavior.

6. Conversation Topics

Forgive me father for I have sinned? No, this is not that type of gathering. You are not there to confess, and he is not there to listen to your life story. Let him speak and listen! Men don’t like to hear about your ex-boyfriends, work problems or your friend’s wedding. Not just yet. On your first date, you should be trying to get to know each other not each other’s problems. Talk about movies, books, hobbies, etc. Unless he is into politics, religions, psychology, economy and stock market don’t try too hard to show how smart you are.

7. Alcohol Consumption

Shots! Shots! Shots! Shots! Should not be the lyrics in your mind. It is not a college party nor is it a drinking competition. Get a glass of wine. Don’t get me wrong; I am sure he would love you to get drunk and take you home. But most of the time it is not the start of a serious relationship. Not drinking? Even better!

8. Check Please

The most important part of the date! Even if you messed it up on all the above, this is your time to fix it. Please! Reach for your wallet when the bill arrives. Most men do not let women pay on the first date (unless he is underage and he doesn’t have a credit card). But they want to see you at least try. Men love saying “I got this.” Give him the pleasure of saying it. Having said that, fighting over the bill is just awkward. If you want to show you are an independent woman, try to settle it with Dutch, not with Aikido.