Plenty of dating etiquette and advice is antiquated at this point. You don't have to wait three days to call and women certainly don't need to hold our breath for a man to make the first move. Maybe we should be chatting about politics at the dinner table, and if religion's important to you, that too. It's 2025! Don't waste your time with someone that's incompatible just for the sake of being polite!

However, that's not to say you should ignore all social norms on a first date — especially if you're crossing your fingers for a second one.

"There are no specific etiquette rules when it comes to dining on a first date, but there are a few common-sense guidelines," Dr. Wendy Walsh, PhD, dating expert for DatingAdvice.com and author of three books on relationships, tells Delish.

Here are 7 things you should never do, whether you're grabbing dinner (or even "just drinks") with your Hinge date:

Share Your (Overly) Picky Eating Habits

You should absolutely be yourself on a first date, but mayybeeeeee keep your picky eating habits a little closer to the vest. Research has actually shown that it's considered an unattractive trait, Walsh says. "Hide your food anxiety by ordering your go-to dish where you know there won’t be a problem."

After all, they don't need to know everything about you night one!

Go Out On A Limb With Your Order

While you don't want to come across as super picky either (we've seen that cause breakups before), a first date is not the time to get overly adventurous with your order—especially if you're an apprehensive eater to begin with.

"Since you’re trying to create a good impression, this is not the time to be adventurous and try something new. You may find you dislike the dish and you will look like a curmudgeon if you send it back," says Walsh. "And don’t try something that requires skill you haven’t learned. You might look uncouth if you don’t know how to eat crab legs, oysters, ribs, or artichokes."

Go Somewhere Without Food

Even if you've agreed on grabbing just drinks for the date, make sure you opt for a place where food is available—just in case. As Walsh points out, it's "not only unhealthy but downright dangerous to drink alcohol without consuming food at the same time." The last thing you want is to get a little too tipsy on an empty stomach—you'll either spill about a recent ex or start spilling your guts (literally) in the bathroom. No one wants that.

Order Before Thinking

"Generally, don't order anything that is too messy, too expensive, or too new," Walsh advises. "And it goes without saying, don't order something you hate just to look cool, nor order any ingredient that your body is intolerant to." Yes, even if you have Lactaid in your purse, the cheeseboard is not a good idea.

National etiquette coach Diane Gottsman says to avoid hard to eat foods that might get stuck in your teeth, like kale or salad of any kind.

"Spaghetti is [also] difficult because it will twirl into a large tennis ball mound, so it’s best to order rigatoni or penne, pasta, or something you can eat with a knife and a fork."

Forget To Tip

This should go without saying, but we'll say it anyways. If you're paying the bill, tip. Tip well, in fact!

"Tipping shows generosity. It shows empathy for the hard-working server. It shows financial sacrifice. Tip heavy and leave the check within eyesight so your date can see," Walsh says.

Throw Back Too Many Drinks

The point of a first date is to get to know the person and suss out a connection, but Walsh suggests keeping it short and sweet—and that applies to your drink limit, as well. If you're having wine, beer, or a cocktail, limit the number to one or two.

"Never more," she says. "You don’t want to look like you have an alcohol problem. Plus, cocktails are expensive."

Expect The Other Person To Pay (Especially If You Extended the Invite)

Gender norms are out, which means that the person who extended the invite should be prepared to pay. "If it’s between a man and a woman and the man feels compelled to pay, he may insist and she can allow him to or give her credit card to the server before he arrives and ask for the bill to be brought to her at the end of the meal and add 20%," Gottsman says.

"In other words, it’s not automatic that the man is always going to pay."