I very recently found myself on a terrible first date. In no way do I want this to reflect poorly on the boy who I agreed to go out with. He is truly very nice... I just don’t think we were on the same page as far as expectations go for a first date type of situation. This article is meant to provide a little comic relief for anyone who has been in, or finds themselves in a similar situation as mine. To be honest, I think days like today are best handled by laughing them off. Here are seven very important lessons I learned from a not-so-perfect first date.

1. Put the phone down and pick up the conversation.

I met up with my date at Starbucks. He approached me while talking on the phone. To be fair, it was a short conversation; however, your date should never feel like he or she has to fight for your attention. You both agreed to go out with each other… not whoever happens to be on the other end of the phone call.

2. You do not need alcohol to have a good time.

The first red flag raised during my day out was when my date, only minutes after we met up, pulled out a large, silver flask and took a sip of its contents. I understand that we’re college students but… c’mon now, it's two in the afternoon on a Sunday during finals week. It can wait. Trust me, it is possible to have fun while you’re sober too.

3. Sharing is caring.

My first reaction to seeing my date drink was to look at him like he lost his damn mind because it was a Sunday. My second reaction was frustration with the fact that he didn’t offer me any. Did I want any? No, of course not. But it’s the principle. Dates are not selfish events. Always remember to be considerate to your significant other and offer, no matter what.

4. ALWAYS put safety first.

The second red flag was raised as my date pulled out his car keys to unlock his doors instead of pulling out his phone to call us an Uber. Drinking while driving is the single most preventable act of reckless idiocy. Don’t do it.

5. Refer to lesson #4.

Being the silly, trusting college student that I am, I got in the car anyway (please don’t tell my mom). All seemed well up until my date proceeded to take occasional swigs from his fancy silver flask. My discomfort continued to grow until my date accidentally turned to drive the wrong way down a one-way street and we found ourselves face-to-face with a cab driver honking at us from behind and a small car driving right at us. On a first date, please don’t let this happen. Remember, always put safety first.

6. Know your date. Be aware of how he/she is responding to your actions.

Somewhere between my date’s texting-while-driving stunts, his driving the wrong way down a one-way street, and his occasional swigs from that damn flask, my fear and my irritation got the best of me. So I kindly let him know it was time for me to go home. In retrospect, I’m not sure which surprises me more: my obvious discomfort throughout the experience or his inability to pick up on the fact that I was very obviously uncomfortable. Be receptive enough to know if your date is uncomfortable.

7. The date isn’t over until you drop your date off or until the two of you go your separate ways.

Before dropping me off at my dorm at the end of the date, instead of interacting with me, my date decided to call his friends and make plans to play 2k when he got back to his room. Don’t do that. If you’re still together, you’re still on a date. Don’t be rude by making unnecessary phone calls.