Speaking from experience, the strangest dates are almost always the very first time you go out with someone new. A lot of awkwardness and weirdness flow from the fact that you two don’t know each other well, aren’t comfortable around one another, not to mention that you’re not acting genuine.

In fact, it would be fair to say that guys and girls who lack confidence don’t start showing their true selves to one another until the third or fourth date. Until then, we’re all trying to impress one another with fake personas: over-exaggerating our strongest features while desperately trying to hide the fact that we have any flaws. (This also applies to starting at a new workplace or meeting friends of your friends—we all want to make the best possible impression, but we think the only way we can do this is by being fake.)

Nerd Fitness has some good advice when it comes to planning out your first date. You know, to reduce the awkwardness. We wholeheartedly agree with their idea that if it’s the first time you’re meeting them in real life, you shouldn’t opt for a long dinner or going to the movie theater. It’s too formal. It increases the chances of awkward silences way too much.

Instead, going for a cup of coffee is way more fun. It’s lively. And if the date’s turning sour or if the other person’s a total weirdo, you can always down your cup of coffee, scald your tongue, and run out the door shouting how you just remembered it’s your mom’s birthday today.

One other important thing is to. Not. Flake. Out. If you make plans to meet someone for a date, follow through. All too often we see guys and girls canceling plans at the last possible moment because of nerves, laziness, or both. Flaking out on plans (any plans) tells a lot about a person—not very pleasant things, mainly. So keep your promises. It’s always better to not make plans than to make ‘em and break ‘em.