Dating Dish is a monthly feature that brings you hot dating tips and sassy how tos to keep your dating life sexy.

Photo credit: A.A.

Let’s face it. Sometimes (oftentimes…) dating produces some insanely awkward moments. Handling them is all about being able to laugh (if not during, then after), having a little confidence that yes, awkwardness does happen, but it’s not the end of the world (even if it feels like it at the time), and knowing that in some cases it’s completely unavoidable, so the only option is to go with it. First dates are especially prone to awkwardness — both parties are nervous, both want to make a good impression, and both are probably a bit wary because they’ve been emotionally burned so many times in the past. Here are five potential first date awkward bombs and how to handle them.

1. You figure out that you disagree on something big, like abortion or presidential choice. Stumbling across differing political or religious beliefs in a first date conversation can be extremely awkward, especially if an assumption has been made about what you or your date’s beliefs are. If you’ve offended them, apologize (and if they’ve offended you, explain what your beliefs are, accept the apology) and move on to something safer, like favorite books. Having an intense discussion about your differing opinions is more productive once you get to know each other, if that’s the direction you decide to head in.

2. The witty banter over email was awesome, but in person, a tree stump has more personality than your date. If you’ve done your best to draw them out and get them to talk and nothing is working, the best way to handle this awkwardness is to acknowledge it. People get nervous on first dates, and for the more shy of us, this can produce one-word answers and shifty eyes. Acknowledging that the date is awkward will often get a laugh, and hopefully break the ice enough to get a good conversation going.

3. You find out that you dated his roommate two months ago. Well, they’re going to find out eventually, especially if you keep seeing this person. I’m a fan of full disclosure, but it’s not necessary to give any gory details. All that’s required is a quick mention that you went on a few dates with their roommate, but it fizzled and you wish their roommate nothing but the best. It’s awkward, but it’s going to be even more so if you wait until things have progressed even further. Hopefully it will be something you can laugh about.

4. You bail on the date early (due to lack of spark), and then see him in the grocery store an hour later. Awkward? Definitely. The best way to handle this is to make the conversation as short as possible (if you can’t get away with just a wave) and continue about your business. If the date ended with you letting them know you weren’t interested but thanks, acknowledging the awkwardness of the running into them again so soon is a good way to introduce some humor and lighten the situation as much as possible.

5. You do something totally embarrassing, like fart, during your date. An “Excuse me” is more than sufficient to acknowledge it. Then, try not to blush or head too far down the embarrassment spiral immediately afterwards. It happens, and if anything, it will probably be endearing. Everyone’s been there.

First dates deserve their own category of awkwardness, they can be so completely stomach-turning uncomfortable. But with the right date, the awkwardness can turn from something ridiculous to a bonding session over how bad it is. Some of the best relationships spawn from realizing that you’re both able to laugh at yourselves and the situation.

Yours in embracing awkwardness, S

Photo credit: Casers Jean

Photo credits: A.A. and Casers Jean

Samantha Scholfield

Samantha Scholfield writes the monthly blog feature Dating Dish and is a dating coach, freelance writer and the “considerably hipper” than The Rules author of the popular dating guide, "Screw Cupid: The Sassy Girl’s Guide to Picking Up Hot Guys". Her articles regularly appear on Yahoo.com, her advice has appeared in Cosmopolitan, The Huffington Post and Seventeen. Her second book, about awkward situations in love and life, "Awkward: What to Do When Life Makes You Cringe", was released on August 9, 2011. She’d love to hear from you at sam@samanthascholfield.com | www.samanthascholfield.com