First dates are stressful, no question. Unfortunately, as the time of the big event draws nearer, so does the panic of what to wear. While the dude probably won’t decide to propose to you based on the height of your heel, we get the desire to look presentable, sexy, cute and approachable all at once, which is no easy feat. What if you come off too aggressive or too prim? What if your outfit gives off the entirely wrong impression? Keeping all of these MAGE concerns in mind, we’ve come up with a few helpful tips, after the jump.

I recently got a call from my best friend’s 18-year-old brother: “Uh hey, Leo, uh, so I like have this date with a girl, and it’s kind of my first date. And, my sister says you know the rules.” Oh no.

Did I know the rules? I wasn’t sure, but I did my best to answer his questions like could he kiss her (yes), and did he have to pay (yes).

I have certainly dated a lot over the past two years, and until recently thought I was fairly proficient in the subject. After recently coming out of a romance that left me devastated, I’ve reluctantly started dating again, but found my skills have suffered. Especially when last week, I was astonished to find myself on an excellent first rendez-vous. I wanted to contact him after, but felt “the rules” weighing over me that said I wasn’t allowed to. But this is the modern age! Women should do what they want. What if this one time is an exception? Maybe he’s expecting you to get in touch…

We’ve talked a lot on The Frisky about first dates and what not to do on them, but apparently not everyone is taking our advice. A recent article in the Daily Mail claims that first date behavior has gotten so bad that at least a third of all 18 million first dates in the U.K. end in “disaster.” The writer never explains what qualifies a date as a disaster, but in my experience, hoping for a sudden natural disaster to relieve you of his company is a pretty good indicator it sucks. To find out what’s going on to make all these first dates so terrible, an online dating firm called parship.co.uk polled 1,300 singles about their behavior. After the jump, the top ten bad dating behaviors they discovered.

As I wrote yesterday, if you have any desire to possibly, maybe having something deeper than bed rockin’ nookie with a dude, you shouldn’t sleep with him on the first date. I came to this conclusion after many years of experience, chatting with friends (men and women), and having a late night, New Year’s champagne-infused to heart-to-heart with a friend’s husband. But I didn’t think it was fair to use him as my sole source, so I decided to pester the guys on my IM about their experience and impressions of first date sex and whether they could see developing a relationship with a lady they banged on the first date.

Dating is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re gonna get. Sometimes, your date may make Forrest Gump seem like a Mensa member. Falling in love takes time, but chemistry is instantaneous. This week, Kate Hudson admitted she ditched out on one first date with a banker before they’d even ordered dinner.

Personally, I think the most annoying thing a person can do on the first date is talk about money. I also think that’s the most annoying thing a person can do on the 59th date, but that’s just me. We asked tons of peeps on the street for the most annoying thing they’ve encountered on a date and DANG am I glad I haven’t dated any of the people they’ve come across.

First dates are awkward. You don’t know if the chemistry will be there or what to wear or even what to talk about. But there are a few things you definitely shouldn’t mention. Inspired by The Dating Lame and a bad date who described Iggy Pop’s sweat as “glistening rock nectar” (über icky) here’s The Frisky‘s Top 5 Words You Should Never Ever Say On A First Date:

5. Ex-boyfriend Been there, done that, now you’re trying to date someone else. Tell the sob story to someone who cares about you already and give this new guy the chance to earn the same status.

“First date” - two simple words that can send shivers up anyone’s spine, much like the words “job interview.” When you think about it, there isn’t much of a difference between the two, except one involves cocktails and palpable sexual tension. I have no idea where that old adage “You are what you eat” came from, because the truth is, “You are what you wear.” Clothes speak volumes and no matter what, they will always prompt judgments from others. Chances are, the person you’re into isn’t going to notice how perfectly your bangles play into the boho-chic vibe you were going for, or how you expertly coordinated your makeup shades to play up the metallic sheen outlining your top. Guys don’t notice the details, but they do see the overall big picture. Here are some general tips to follow before any date, after the jump…