如何来个浪漫而成功的第一次约会？

 　　A first date falls into two categories: following up on an introduction, or pursuing personal instincts when asking out someone of your choosing. No matter which approach is taken, first dates can be stressful for both parties. It is normal to be a little nervous as one always wants to put their best foot forward and make a good first impression. The question commonly asked is how to go about planning a date that says "I like you" and "I want to get to know you". In order for your level of interest to be conveyed it is important to show that effort and thought went into setting the right tone for your time spent together.

　　初次约会一般有两种情况，一是经人介绍，而是由于个人直觉，对自己心仪的对象提出邀约。无论是哪一种情况，第一次约会会让双方都感到颇有压力。人人都希望事情有个美好的开端，给对方留下美好的印象，所以感到些微紧张是很正常的。人们通常会问，要怎么计划这样一场约会，才能告诉对方“我喜欢你”，“我希望更多的了解你”呢?为了传达你的心意，很重要的一点是，你应该让对方知道自己为了这场初次约会进展顺利，投注了许多心思和气力。

　　Begin the process with a phone call. As old school as it may sound, texts, tweets or emails just don't cut it as a way to ask someone out. Direct communication where conversation can flow back and forth¹ is still king.

　　首先，给对方去一个电话，这虽然看起来有点老土，可是，当你想约某人出去的时候，发短信、微博或者邮件都不如电话直截了当。双向的对话和直接交流仍然是王道。

　　如何来个浪漫而成功的第一次约会？

　　Pick a location where you can talk without screaming. Hip² and cool is fine, crazy loud with a thumping³ sound track is a no-no. The restaurant's atmosphere and people watching are great sources for dialog. Observations made can be very revealing about each other.

　　第二，挑选一个你们可以自由交谈，不用大声高喊的安静环境。嘻哈风格的场所还差强人意，带有打击乐背景音响的特别吵闹的地方就不行了。在安静的氛围中，餐厅的环境和周围的客人可以作为极好的谈资。你们对对方的观察也可以更加清晰透彻。

　　Don't pick a see and be seen place. The focus should be on the two of you without the interruptions of having to interface⁴ with the people you know in the room. Plus no reason to inform your immediate⁵ universe what you are up to.

　　不要选一个有熟人出没的地方。你们应该以两人单独相处为重点，杜绝此地还有你认识的人介入的情况。再说，还没必要让你的交际圈知道你正在干什么。

　　Movies are a perfect third or forth date idea as they provide food for thought later in the evening. As far as first dates go, stick to plans that allow you to get to know one another rather than sitting in the dark munching⁶ on popcorn⁷.

　　到第三、第四次约会时再去看电影更好，因为电影能让你们在散场后有思考交谈的共同话题。至于第一次约会，还是选择能让你们了解双方的活动，而不是坐在黑暗中嚼爆米花比较好。

　　Common hobbies and shared interests are great for couples to engage in, but not on a first date. As your initial get together, hiking, biking, sky diving may not be an ideal way to connect. No need to show them your sweated up look right away. Making small talk while gripping your knees and panting is not sexy.

　　共同的兴趣爱好对一对情侣来说是经营感情的绝佳手段，但是对于初次约会的两人来说则不是。在初次约会时，远足、骑自行车、跳伞都不是理想的交流方式。没必要此刻就把你汗津津的样子展示给对方。当你精疲力尽，一边支着膝盖喘气、一边跟对方聊天，这可不够性感。

　　Coffee: Not the best idea for an initial meeting. A cup of Joe says "I don't want to invest too much money or time with you". "I am in it for quick recon". Although coffee houses can be quaint⁸ and atmospheric⁹, they tend to be viewed as in between activities, not the main event of the day or evening.

　　喝咖啡：不是初次约会的理想方式。约一倍咖啡会让对方觉得你“不想为对方花费太多的金钱或时间”、觉得你“只是想快速侦查一下”对方的情况。虽然咖啡厅环境颇为古雅浪漫，但是喝咖啡通常被认为是人们办正事的间隙时间里的消遣，而不是这一天或这一晚上的主要活动。

　　Lunch: A mid¹⁰ day meal can be seen as a one hour, more stilted¹¹, business like encounter rather than a date. On the other hand, a weekend picnic in a park, sitting on a blanket with savory¹² threats is romantic.

　　吃午餐：一天正午的这餐饭可能会被看成程式化的，时间固定的商务会面而不是约会。另一方面，在周末去公园野餐，坐在毯子上吃着美味的点心倒是颇为浪漫。

　　Drinks: Clinking glasses is festive¹³ and shows a commitment of time and provides an upbeat vibe. What is appealing about drinks as a first date is that it leaves the door open for dinner. If things are going well it is easy to expand on your evening.

　　酒吧畅饮：去酒吧开怀畅饮，相互碰杯可以制造愉悦发气氛，表现你愿意为对方投入时间，而且能够调动双方的情绪。初次约会去酒吧畅饮的一大好处在于，你能很自然的约对方吃晚餐。如果进展顺利的话，你就能轻松的将约会顺延到晚上的用餐时间了。

　　Dinner: This demonstrates a willingness to spend an extended period of time with someone. Nothing expresses interest more than a two hour meal, especially on a Saturday night.

　　吃晚餐：吃晚餐会告诉对方，你愿意长时间与对方共处。没什么比一场两小时的晚宴更能表达你的心意了，特别是在周六的晚上。

　　The exciting part about a first date is that if it moves in the right direction, you are paving the way for second and third get togethers. When saying good night, assuming all went well, let it be known and take the initiative to plan another outing, leaving you both wanting more and giving each other something to look forward to...

　　初次约会让人开心之处在于，如果进展顺利，你们就可以准备进行第二、第三次约会了。当你们互道晚安，如果你心想一切都很顺利，要及时把自己的想法告诉对方，主动安排下一次见面，让双方都想要继续，给对方一点可供期待的念想……

1 forth   

adv.向前；向外，往外

参考例句：

• The wind moved the trees gently back and forth.风吹得树轻轻地来回摇晃。
• He gave forth a series of works in rapid succession.他很快连续发表了一系列的作品。

2 hip   

n.臀部，髋；屋脊

参考例句：

• The thigh bone is connected to the hip bone.股骨连着髋骨。
• The new coats blouse gracefully above the hip line.新外套在臀围线上优美地打着褶皱。

3 thumping   

adj.重大的，巨大的；重击的；尺码大的；极好的adv.极端地；非常地v.重击(thump的现在分词)；狠打；怦怦地跳；全力支持

参考例句：

• Her heart was thumping with emotion. 她激动得心怦怦直跳。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
• He was thumping the keys of the piano. 他用力弹钢琴。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》

4 interface   

n.接合部位，分界面；v.(使)互相联系

参考例句：

• My computer has a network interface,which allows me to get to other computers.我的计算机有网络接口可以与其它计算机连在一起。
• This program has perspicuous interface and extensive application. 该程序界面明了，适用范围广。

5 immediate   

adj.立即的；直接的，最接近的；紧靠的

参考例句：

• His immediate neighbours felt it their duty to call.他的近邻认为他们有责任去拜访。
• We declared ourselves for the immediate convocation of the meeting.我们主张立即召开这个会议。

6 munching   

v.用力咀嚼（某物），大嚼( munch的现在分词 )

参考例句：

• He was munching an apple. 他在津津有味地嚼着苹果。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Munching the apple as he was, he had an eye for all her movements. 他虽然啃着苹果，但却很留神地监视着她的每一个动作。 来自辞典例句

7 popcorn   

n.爆米花

参考例句：

• I like to eat popcorn when I am watching TV play at home.当我在家观看电视剧时，喜欢吃爆米花。
• He still stood behind his cash register stuffing his mouth with popcorn.他仍站在收银机后，嘴里塞满了爆米花。

8 quaint   

adj.古雅的，离奇有趣的，奇怪的

参考例句：

• There were many small lanes in the quaint village.在这古香古色的村庄里，有很多小巷。
• They still keep some quaint old customs.他们仍然保留着一些稀奇古怪的旧风俗。

9 atmospheric   

adj.大气的，空气的；大气层的；大气所引起的

参考例句：

• Sea surface temperatures and atmospheric circulation are strongly coupled.海洋表面温度与大气环流是密切相关的。
• Clouds return radiant energy to the surface primarily via the atmospheric window.云主要通过大气窗区向地表辐射能量。

10 mid   

adj.中央的，中间的

参考例句：

• Our mid-term exam is pending.我们就要期中考试了。
• He switched over to teaching in mid-career.他在而立之年转入教学工作。

11 stilted   

adj.虚饰的；夸张的

参考例句：

• All too soon the stilted conversation ran out.很快这种做作的交谈就结束了。
• His delivery was stilted and occasionally stumbling.他的发言很生硬，有时还打结巴。

12 savory   

adj.风味极佳的，可口的，味香的

参考例句：

• She placed a huge dish before him of savory steaming meat.她将一大盘热气腾腾、美味可口的肉放在他面前。
• He doesn't have a very savory reputation.他的名誉不太好。

13 festive   

adj.欢宴的，节日的

参考例句：

• It was Christmas and everyone was in festive mood.当时是圣诞节，每个人都沉浸在节日的欢乐中。
• We all wore festive costumes to the ball.我们都穿着节日的盛装前去参加舞会。