They say you should be yourself on the first date, but the part of you that devours garlic bread and can gobble up hot dogs like Joey Chestnut might be something you should save for the sixth date.
If you want dinner to go as smoothly as possible (and secure a goodnight kiss), there are some dishes you should avoid. Nothing ruins a good mood more than wing sauce on your crisp white suit.
“Eat the food that makes you full and satisfied,” says the modern etiquette expert, COO of Fresh Starts Registry and co-author of Simple scripts to support your employees Jenny Dreizen. “Some people may not want to eat anything messy because it can be distracting to think about whether the sauce is running up your nose while you’re trying to have a polite conversation.”
According to a study published in 2021, your date may be paying closer attention to your order than you might think. Of the 3,000 U.S. adults surveyed, 40% said they were looking for someone who had a passion for good food, while 38% said they found picky eaters off-putting. Pizza, burgers and salad were listed as the safest foods, while 19% of respondents said they would avoid oysters, 18% mussels and 17% sushi.
Here are 10 foods you should never order on a first date. Trust us.
Garlic naan bread (or anything with too much garlic)
Whether or not you plan on making out at the end of the date, you don’t want your deadly garlic breath to spoil the good times. You should probably avoid ordering classic garlic or naan bread or anything with too much garlic.
Onions
Speaking of stinky food, you might want to rule out onions (or at least the raw red kind) while you’re at it. Especially a cup of French onion soup covered in melted cheese. According to one Reddit user, there’s “no graceful way to eat that while someone is looking at you.” Good thing.
Pho or Ramen
It’s simply impossible to eat these dishes elegantly (the liquid will probably run down your chin and possibly your shirt), and you’re guaranteed to ruin your hair and makeup.
“I love pho but it’s so hot that the steam blows in your face and the humidity can cause your makeup to run or your hair to go flat,” someone wrote on Reddit.
“Personally, I find that ramen, chicken wings and anything with poppy seeds distract me,” Dreizen adds. “I’m not worried about the mess. I just want to make sure my attention isn’t divided.”
Butter noodles
You’ve read the survey results. Eating like a seven-year-old isn’t going to do you any good. It might even get you dumped.
Wings or ribs
Wings or ribs are just about the worst thing imaginable. Plus, you’ve heard Dreizen. It’s hard to connect when you’re so hyper-focused while carefully cleaning your flat wing.
lettuce
Although survey respondents rated salad as a “safe” food, relationship coach Kara Francis says she would avoid it. “I wouldn’t eat salad on a first date,” she says. “Don’t eat anything that you might get stuck in your teeth without noticing – that could be embarrassing.”
broccoli
One Reddit user says he avoids broccoli for this reason. “It’s guaranteed to get stuck in your front teeth,” he wrote.
Cheese
Dairy can be risky for some people; it can have digestive side effects that you probably don’t find sexy. “Don’t (ever) go to a cheese and wine tasting,” another person wrote in the thread. “You’re farting yourself out of a potential relationship. Eat fish, vegetables… lighter stuff.”
Finger food
There’s a certain level of comfort you need before you can confidently eat with your hands in front of someone. This is especially true for finger foods that require a bib or a little more work to break open. “Crab. Lobster. No way,” said one Redditor. “No one gets laid after wearing a bib.”
Spaghetti with meatballs
Remember what I said about spaghetti sauce on your clothes? Just save yourself the trouble of pulling out a Tide stick in the middle of the date and don’t order the dish.
