The guy who waited for you to pay the bill, the one who blatantly checked out your waitress, the awesome man with mommy issues: the wonders of first dates. First dates are both exciting and daunting. To make them a little easier, here are some of my dos and don'ts on first dates.

Do: Give unique compliments.

Giving a unique compliment about your date's freckles or their outfit shows your interest. It makes your date feel great and it reassures them that you pay attention to the little things. You are on this date to get to know this person. Let them know when you like something about them!

Do: Be on time.

Being on time and consistent with plans is key. It shows attention to detail and reinforces that you fulfill your commitments.

Do: be yourself

This is a date! You shouldn't have to pretend to be someone you're not to impress a girl or guy. Be yourself. Be confident. Show your date how awesome you are!

Do: dress comfortably.

Although black pumps are cute and go with most outfits, sometimes comfort overrides fashion. Dress in something you feel confident and comfortable in.

Do: stay positive!

It's a first date. Your date knows relatively nothing about you and they want to get to know you! Be yourself and focus on getting to know them. You have a wonderful opportunity to get to know someone better. Don't let it go to waste!

Do: put your phone away.

As a sign of respect, interest in the other person, and common curtsey keep your phone away and focus on the person you're with. I'm sure both of you will appreciate each other's full attention.

Don't: show up stressed.

We truly feed off of each other's energy. We don't want to be around stressed, frustrated, annoyed, or nervous people constantly. Try to keep your stress and frustrations to yourself on a first date. You don't want to give off the wrong impression because you're having a rough day.

Don't: talk about exes or dating disasters.

Personally, I am not a fan of guys who talk about their exes. Although it is important to learn about your partner's past relationships, the first date is not the place. Talking about an ex makes me think my date isn't over the relationship. I don't want to find myself comparing me to an ex-girlfriend on a first date. Keep all past relationships and dating for future dates.

Don't: get ahead of yourself.

Remember, this is a first date. It's a chance to get to know someone new, eat some food, and make a new memory. It could be the start of a new relationship or it could remind you why you like to live the single life. Whichever it is, keep some optimism in mind and focus on the here and now.