We’ve all been there: the nerve wracking first date. Whether you already know a fair bit about the girl, or it’s just a blind date, there are first date jitters. Blokes especially, whether we like to admit it or not, are often even more susceptible to being nervous on a first date than women. And really, mate, who’s the one who’s most harshly judged? We happen to think it’s us, even though pop culture always focuses on the girl trying to impress the man. The fact is, the more fit the girl, the more options she has. We get to a certain age where just being charming is no longer enough and women want more than a good looking man. This can all be quite intimidating, and you may find yourself stressed about making a good impression. Surprisingly, one of the most important qualities that women have named in survey after survey is guy’s sincerity. Sure, it sounds simple. You thought you had to shower her with lavish gifts and fancy meals, eh? Well, apparently not so. Here are a few tips to let your personality shine through and impress her on the first date.

Make the First Date Creative

“Think of a creative first date idea”

Instead of just going for the tired old “dinner and a film” routine, go for something that you share in common. Are you both into gaming? Invite her over for dinner and an old school Street Fighter tournament. Maybe you both share a love of nature. Suggest going on a hike, and show her your favorite spots. There are lots of ways to personalize a date without being over the top and make her feel special.

Don’t Pretend to Be Something You’re Not

It sounds simple, but we blokes can get ahead of ourselves trying to impress women. For example, the restaurant you take her to seems good enough at first, but when she shows up dressed more formally than you expected, suddenly you might feel like you have to buy a pricey bottle of champagne. Not so. Girls like a guy who’s down to earth and sincere. Just keep going with the date and focus on why you’re there. Obviously something about the woman caught your fancy, so keep going with that. If you truly get on with each other, it will be obvious, and everything else should fade into the background.

Don’t Overdo It

“Giving gifts on a first date is not a good idea”

Don’t obsess over what you’re going to wear or what you’re going to give her. One basic pointer on first date gifts: usually they’re unnecessary, unwelcome and strange. If you’re meeting a girl for the first time, she’s not going to expect you to get her something. It’s not as if you know her that well. Don’t go off and feel clever because you bought her a necklace. You don’t know her, so how could you possibly know what kind of jewelry she likes? We recommend going with a simple bouquet of flowers, and even that’s a bit over the top. Save the gifts for your anniversary if it progresses beyond a first meeting.