So you've made the leap into online dating, you uploaded a photograph of yourself, you wrote a profile describing yourself and what you want, you made contact with some other members, and now its time for the online to become the offline - its time for the first date. While there are similarities between a first date with someone you met via a dating site and someone you met through conventional means, there are a few differences, and this article aims to provide some tips for a first date with someone you met on the internet. Be Punctual Although this might seem obvious, people are more likely to stand someone up that they only have a virtual relationship with. This means that if you leave your date sitting in a bar, he/she will begin to have doubts as to whether you will turn up or not. This will make a stressful situation even more stressful than it has to be. When you do eventually turn up you will be on the back foot right away, trying to make up for your lateness. Talking about the Dating Site The dating site where you met is probably an easy option for things to talk about. However be careful not to go into too much detail about your previous dates. Also, don't pry too much about people your date has met through the site. You may not like the answer... Criticising people you've met through the site is also not a good idea, at least not on a first date. It will only make you look bad. Have a Get-Out Although you will probably have seen a photograph of your date, and exchanged emails prior to meeting, this first date will be semi-blind. As such you may find you dislike the person intensely. It would be cruel to tell the person that you don't like them, so arrange for a friend to call you on your cell about an hour into the date. If you don't like your date you can pretend the call is from your sister who has just been robbed, and you need to go round and give her some spare keys. Keep it Short As previously mentioned, this is a semi-blind date, so you would be best arranging something like a lunch date; as this would involve spending less time with your date, than say a night out. If you don't think there is any future in the relationship then you only need to spend at most a couple of hours with them. Make sure you choose a venue where the food is easy to eat, as you are trying to create a good first impression. The local lobster restaurant probably isn't a good idea - no one ever looked good eating lobster. The End of the Date You should end your date as politely as possible, even if you don't wish to see the person again. Tell them you will be in touch via the dating site, even if it is only to say you don't want to see them again. Also, don't try and kiss your date, its only teenagers that do this on a first date! As you have probably gathered, there are some slight differences in a first date in the online world and a first date with someone you met offline. Pay attention to the tips above and you will get on just fine when you start going on first dates.