First-date tips and relationship advice for singles

* Istock DO WEAR THE RIGHT CLOTHES If an article of clothing seems more suitable for your grandchildren than for you, leave it home. This includes anything you would wear to a club or a

church, anything that could double for trick-or-treating, anything casual enough for painting the shutters and anything skimpy enough to make your date shudder. 1 of 14 * Getty Images DON’T

BLING OUT Your date is probably not a felon, a rapist or a raving loon. On the other hand, do you _really_ want to find that out the hard way? Giving a stranger access to your home is too

intimate a way to begin — or end — a first date. Wait for the right time for a home visit.   2 of 14 * Franck Camhi/Istock DO ARRIVE ON TIME The problem with getting up on a soapbox and

holding forth about loaded topics is that doing so could explode in your face. A conversation about movies, books, vacations or just about any other topic is a better idea because it makes

you more likable. 3 of 14 * UpperCut Images/Alamy DON’T COMMIT CELLPHONE SUICIDE Your adult children, best friend, next-door neighbor and piano tuner may not be the best “experts” to consult

with about who or what is right for you. So don’t seek their opinions. Instead, trust your brain and your gut to tell you whether a first date merits a second. 4 of 14 * Robert Daly/Getty

Images DON’T MEET AT EITHER PARTY’S HOME If an article of clothing seems more suitable for your grandchildren than for you, leave it home. This includes anything you would wear to a club or

a church, anything that could double for trick-or-treating, anything casual enough for painting the shutters and anything skimpy enough to make your date shudder. 5 of 14 * Getty Images DO

STIFLE THE CAT PIX If an article of clothing seems more suitable for your grandchildren than for you, leave it home. This includes anything you would wear to a club or a church, anything

that could double for trick-or-treating, anything casual enough for painting the shutters and anything skimpy enough to make your date shudder. 6 of 14 * Rayman/Getty Images DON’T MEET AT

AWKWARD PLACES If an article of clothing seems more suitable for your grandchildren than for you, leave it home. This includes anything you would wear to a club or a church, anything that

could double for trick-or-treating, anything casual enough for painting the shutters and anything skimpy enough to make your date shudder. 7 of 14 * White Packert/Getty Images DON’T ORDER

WEARABLE FOODS If an article of clothing seems more suitable for your grandchildren than for you, leave it home. This includes anything you would wear to a club or a church, anything that

could double for trick-or-treating, anything casual enough for painting the shutters and anything skimpy enough to make your date shudder. 8 of 14 * Istock DO KEEP YOUR POLITICS AND RELIGION

TO YOURSELF If an article of clothing seems more suitable for your grandchildren than for you, leave it home. This includes anything you would wear to a club or a church, anything that

could double for trick-or-treating, anything casual enough for painting the shutters and anything skimpy enough to make your date shudder. 9 of 14 * Istock DO LISTEN ATTENTIVELY If an

article of clothing seems more suitable for your grandchildren than for you, leave it home. This includes anything you would wear to a club or a church, anything that could double for

trick-or-treating, anything casual enough for painting the shutters and anything skimpy enough to make your date shudder. 10 of 14 * Istock DON’T REVEAL TOO MUCH TOO SOON If an article of

clothing seems more suitable for your grandchildren than for you, leave it home. This includes anything you would wear to a club or a church, anything that could double for

trick-or-treating, anything casual enough for painting the shutters and anything skimpy enough to make your date shudder. 11 of 14 * Hero Images/Getty Images DO KEEP FOOD ISSUES OFF THE

TABLE If an article of clothing seems more suitable for your grandchildren than for you, leave it home. This includes anything you would wear to a club or a church, anything that could

double for trick-or-treating, anything casual enough for painting the shutters and anything skimpy enough to make your date shudder. 12 of 14 * LaCoppola-Meier/Getty Images DO TUNE OUT

SOCIAL STATIC If an article of clothing seems more suitable for your grandchildren than for you, leave it home. This includes anything you would wear to a club or a church, anything that

could double for trick-or-treating, anything casual enough for painting the shutters and anything skimpy enough to make your date shudder. 13 of 14 * VIEW MORE SLIDESHOWS If an article of

clothing seems more suitable for your grandchildren than for you, leave it home. This includes anything you would wear to a club or a church, anything that could double for

trick-or-treating, anything casual enough for painting the shutters and anything skimpy enough to make your date shudder. 14 of 14