In the world of dating, sometimes what you don't do is just as important as what you do. Being aware of the things you need to avoid can save a date from disaster or even make one into a success. It is important you remember key items to avoid regarding courtesy, dating etiquette, and personal safety.

While it is a very good idea to connect with your date before the event; usually by phone, email, or other social medium, it is never acceptable to be bothersome while doing so. Contacting your date once or twice within a week of the date should give you more than sufficient opportunity to make sure you know what things you should include in the engagement. Beyond that, you could be presenting yourself as a nuisance. One of the better aspects of online dating is the opportunity it offers do get this type of information from personal profiles or pre-arranged internet contact.

Don't make the date all about you, but don't make it all about your date either; use this information to make the date an event you will both enjoy. That means once you know what your date would like to do or talk about on a date, use these interests to design a comfortable and engaging experience for both of you. A successful date is one that allows both participants a chance to get to know and enjoy each other in a comfortable social setting. If the date focuses on only one party, the other is less likely to have had a good time.

Don't forget your manners. Little courtesies like a gentleman holding a door or a lady saying, “Bless you” after a sneeze are nice and easily remembered on a date. What too many forget, however, is to turn off cell phones during a date, or remembering to excuse any interruption if it can't be avoided.

Avoid excessive drinking on a date. If you do drink, keep your intake to one drink during a date. First, no date is successful if you have to be carried home. Second, alcohol can bring a certain olfactory dimension to conversation that may be off-putting. It is always a good idea to find out your dates' position on social drinking and smoking. For many singles today, this can be a deal-breaker; so, don't hesitate to ask.

Finally, don't take your environment for granted. The purpose of a date is to design a social opportunity for people to get to know each other and enjoy one another's company. If you don't consider your regular hang out safe enough to take your little sister, don't take your date. If your car isn't the high performance vehicle you wish it were, rent a car for the occasion. And never forget to bring your cell phone, fully charged. Don't have a first date in a dark secluded place. First dates should be in well lit, populated areas. This not only increases the comfort level socially, but is just good sense.