General first date advice?

[Meerkat54]

Hey guys,

I'm still very new to the dating world, especially to that of guys, and now that I'm out I want to start meeting some new people.

I would appreciate some general advice about first dates, if there's any to be given. I know the basics of "being yourself", and "finding things to talk about" etc. but it's the minor things that have got me thinking.

For a guy my age (18 - 19 this year), what would be the best optimal first date location? I know it should really be up to me and whoever I'm meeting to choose, but I don't want to go all out and have a fancy dinner or full on lunch or anything like that. Just something basic and simple - like would a coffee date be the best option? Or for guys my age would it be something else?

Meeting him in person for the first time would no doubt be a bit awkward as well. I suppose I could just shake hands with him but either way that's something else I'm not overly confident in haha.

Other than that any other advice would be much appreciated. I'm sure I can figure out the rest on my own after a few first dates and/or dates in general, but I need a bit of a booster haha.

Thanks guys! x
- katreem