Scientists say this is the best thing to do on a first date to heighten your chances of romance
First dates shouldn't be expensive or time-consuming, according to a leading biological anthropologist
IT can be hard to know what to do on a first date - especially when you've never actually met your potential partner before.
It's tempting to suggest a fancy dinner, an action-packed activity or a romantic film screening.
But an expert suggests that, as predictable as it may seem, the ideal first date is simply going for a couple of cocktails.
With the likes of Tinder generating 1.3 million first dates every year, grabbing one or two rounds is said to be the most effective investment of time, money and energy for an initial encounter - and puts you in the best position to show yourself in a good light, increasing your chances of romance.
In fact, Dr. Helen Fisher, one of America's leading biological anthropologists, explains that this sort of date is the smartest choice as it “is extremely well built to assemble data about a potential partner."
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She told : "You’re going to end up being more social, more talkative, and showing more of who you are."
While it might seem obvious that one or two drinks will do the trick when it comes to easing those first date jitters, the benefits of a cocktails-only meetup also help to counteract the disappointment of less successful dates.
In fact, a shorter, cheaper date is less about making the other person like you, and more to do with assessing your compatibility as a couple - a mindset which can ease the sting of first date rejection.
If the spark just isn't there for you, it's much easier to politely say goodbye after a round of drinks than it is to make your great escape between the starter and the main - whether it's because your first date looks absolutely nothing like their profile pictures, is rude to the waiting staff, or you simply just don't like them very much.
Dr. Fisher says: “The first date really should be just for cocktails, because you really shouldn’t invest a lot of money or time. It’s a look-see."