How to End a Date the Right Way without Feeling Awkward

You know how to get a date and you know what to do on it. But, how to end a date? Maybe not. Even worse, how to end a first date? Learn how! 

Dating is fun. You get to meet someone new and you get to have fun. At times, a new date may be great, and at other times, it doesn’t always work out. You may know how to get a date, talk on a date and behave on a date.

But do you really know how to end a date the right way? If it’s the first date, the stakes are higher. Learning how to end a first date is key to bagging the second.

There are so many things to consider while you’re on a date, but it all comes down to knowing how to do it properly, be it good, bad, or ughh! [Read: 15 signs of a bad first date that reveal a total lack of chemistry]

How to end a date – The key things to remember

Now if you’re a smart dater, you’d prepare for the end at the beginning. After all, planning the end always ensures a perfect dating experience, be it good or bad.

If you want to have a great date and avoid all the brow wiping, knee shuffling, clock staring, and awkward smiling after dessert, use these simple tips at some point in the date.

It’ll make both of you feel better, and you’ll have a happier time. Let’s check out a few general tips for ending dates in the right way. [Read: The best ways to cut a bad date short & moves you shouldn’t ever use]

1. Don’t pick up or get picked up

Yes, chivalry rules but not until you both say hello face-to-face.

Let’s face it. Not all dates are going to end in wedding bells or sexy carpet burns. At times, you may have to end a date way before bedtime, especially if it sucks.

Can you imagine having to drive an hour out of your way just to drop your date after you got dumped midway through dinner? Awkward!

Play it safe, carry your condoms, and drive your own car. [Read: 15 things to do on a first date to make your date fall for you]

2. Stay in one place or make plans ahead

When you’re both meeting each other for the first date, have a mutual understanding of how to end the date. Meet each other for pastries and sundaes or get bold and have a long dinner.

But if you’re planning to have drinks at the Drunken Clam and then dinner at Moe’s, make it clear to your date and discuss it. A good ten or twenty minutes into the date, talk about any other hopeful places to go or other plans for the evening, and let your date be aware of it.

It’s always reassuring to know the date itinerary, instead of experiencing a suspense movie. It only adds to the anxiety. [Read: Best places to go on a first date]

3. Make a suggestion

Want to know how to end a date in the best way? One of the perfect, never-failing ways to end a date is to make a suggestion, especially if you’re a guy. As you’re coming close to the bottom end of the meal or shake, suggest something new and wait for the answer.

“Would you like to have a cup of coffee at this really nice place on 63^rd street?”

“I’m having such a wonderful time with you. Could I have the pleasure of enjoying your company for just a bit longer? There’s this little sundae bar that I’d love to take you to…” [Read: 16 first date tips for girls to dazzle your date]

Awww… you’re now a smooth talker, aren’t you?

If your date’s having a nice time, they’d agree. If your date’s running late, they’d suggest another time. Either way, you get to end the date by being charming at the same time. [Read: How to pick a date restaurant]

4. Read their body language

There are ways to figure out if your date wants to end a date without staring down south. Amidst the intensely happy or sad conversation both of you are having, do you ever find that your date is shuffling their legs uneasily or looking at their watch now and then? If your date is feeling restless or staring at the door like they’re hypnotized, perhaps it’s time to end the date.

On the other hand, if both of you are cooing into each other’s ears or inching your hands closer to each other for a bit of flirty touches, you should definitely suggest hanging out longer or going to some other place for a bit of fun. [Read: How to flirt and touch]

5. Don’t push your date

You may be having a wonderful time, or you may never have gotten luckier on a blind date set up by your annoying friend, but no matter how much fun you’re having, a date is a two-sided experience.

To figure out how to end a date, you need to look for the signs or use the cues mentioned earlier. But you should never push your luck, even if it seems flirty. [Read: Perfect questions to ask your date]

If your date suggests ending it, learn to end it gracefully. If there is going to be a second date, good for you, if not, well, get your act better the next time.

“Oh, c’mon… please… can’t you stay with me a bit longer?”

“Please, you can’t leave now… there’s this really nice place I want you to see… please, please, please stay a while…”

That doesn’t sound good at all. In fact, it could end all chances of a second date. Your date may walk out on you anyways, with you on the floor and your dignity in the bin. [Read: Second date tips to build the perfect romance]

How to end a first date that went well

Now you know how to end dates generally, we need to delve a little deeper. Dates can be great, bad, or somewhere in the middle. So, how should you end a date that went really well? Both of you are happy and floating on clouds because you’ve both experienced a chance encounter with a potential soulmate for life. [Read: How to find a soulmate]

There are three perfect ways to end a good date.

1. End the date with a hug

Now if both of you have really hit it off, but haven’t really got to play touchy and flirty, a warm hug is the safest way to end the date. It’s cozy, soft, and it’ll make you both weak in the knees.

2. End the date with a gentle kiss

Ending a date with a kiss is perfect. You may have shared a lot of chemistry and the little lingering touches may have turned both of you into mush. And as the clock ticks closer to saying goodbye, all both of you want is to get those lips together.

So pucker up and get some action, but keep it simple. Don’t stick your tongue in immediately unless you know it’s going to be mutual. [Read: How to kiss a girl on the first date]

3. If the date went REALLY well, end it in the bedroom

Men dream of these dates. Many women wake up the next morning and ask themselves if they made the right choice. But whichever gender you are, having sex after a first date is not always a bad thing. Several couples who have been deeply in love for years have had sex around the first date, so take a deep breath and relax.

You’ve just found someone who could make you go weak in your knees and someone who could make you orgasm like never before! Could you ask for more? Ending a date with sex can seem fast, but if that’s what the heart wants, who cares.

If you’re both ending the date in a good way, there’s always a promise of more good things to come. You’ve met someone with great compatibility and you should bask in its glory. Decide when to call each other up, and take that next happy step. [Read: Sex on the first date – should you give in to the urge?]

How to end a date that didn’t go well at all

There are always more chances of finding yourself on a bad date than a good date. It’s natural and a game of odds and numbers. Most of the good ones get taken, and it’s not easy to find a perfect lover on every single date. After all, it’s got more to do with compatibility than anything else. [Read: Why you aren’t able to find love]

Here are the best ways to end a bad date that you’re not too happy about or a date with a potentially lost cause. You can thank us later!

1. Tell your date you’ll call sometime… but don’t

And never call them back again! This is the worst way for anyone to end a date. It’s disrespectful and it leaves your date hopping on coals wondering if you guys are going to meet again or not.

But it’s easy. Really, really easy. It’s the easiest way to be a chicken and worm yourself out of a confrontation. It’s not the best option to use but it’s there if you need it.

If you’re going to use this option, however, don’t specify when you’re going to call. The word “sometime” should give them a hint that you’re probably not going to call. [Read: Honest reasons he hasn’t called you after your date]

2. Tell your date that you had a nice time

Tell your date that you had a nice time, but you don’t really feel the chemistry. The both of you may have a great time, but sometimes it’s easier to be good friends than lovers with electric chemistry.

Ending a date this way may seem vague, but if you’re having a pretty decent time and don’t see a potential lover in your date, it’s better to end it pleasantly. It may feel awkward, but once you’re done saying it, it’s over. You don’t have to worry about bumping into your date again or avoiding their calls. [Read: Signs he’s not interested in a second date even if you’re unsure]

3. Admit it didn’t go well

Preaching about why you think a second date isn’t in the cards is never easy, especially if you’ve got an egoistic date.

Sometimes, you may enjoy a warm date, but you may be left with nagging issues about each other’s preferences when it comes to certain aspects like work, leisure interests, or even politics and religion. Ending a date over these issues may seem trivial to many, but unless you’re faced with a situation like this, you can’t really understand the gravity of the situation.

If you have a nice time, but don’t see this date as a stepping stone for several other dates to follow, let your date know that you had a pleasant time but perhaps it would be better for both of you to enjoy a good relationship as friends instead of lovers.

It’s always better to call off a prospective relationship immediately than compromise a lot for each other without knowing what the future has in store. [Read: Dating facts]

The ugly way – how to end a date midway through

This is tricky, rude, and a complete failure of a date. This doesn’t happen often though. In fact, it’s even rarer than a good date. How often do you come across someone with whom you can’t even bear to spend an hour with?

But now and then, there’s a chance that you’ll bump into someone who looks rather different than that recent profile picture you saw. And if it’s not appearances and attire, it may be their obnoxious behavior. Irrespective of what the reasons may be, on one of these rare eventful dates, you may have a chance encounter with a really bad date. [Read: How to get to know someone on a date]

Here are the three best tried and tested ways to squirm yourself out of an ugly date, preferably without breaking hearts or hurting your date’s feelings.

1. Fix a timeline at the start

Sometimes, it takes less than a few minutes to know if a date’s successful or not. In fact, a second glance could help you make up your mind. [Read: Understanding love at first sight]

If you’re stuck on a date like this, be warm and pleasant to start with. Don’t sit at the next table, don’t nudge your date with the restaurant mop, and don’t duck under the table if you see someone you know at the restaurant. Pretend like you’re having a wonderful time and enjoying your date.

A minute or so into the date though, speak in your most sincere tone and tell your date that you’re really sorry but can’t stay longer than half an hour because an emergency has come up and you’ve got to babysit your nephew or comfort a friend who’s lost their uncle.

You know your mind, so come up with something believable and inescapable. It’s easy, you spend some time with your date and you walk out. No hearts are broken and you walk out with dignity.

2. Have a friend call you

If a first glance couldn’t really help you judge your date, you’re probably going to get stuck with this one. Midway through the date, you may find yourself bored or staring at a game on the big screen because there’s nothing really happening.

Whatever the reasons are, if you do want to end the date midway, excuse yourself to go to the restroom. Call your friend and ask them to call you back in exactly ten minutes with an emergency. [Read: How to back out of a date without being rude]

A tsunami, you need to bail your friend who just called you out of prison, your friend’s water just broke, whatever works!

If you want to avoid all signs of curiosity, plan ahead with your friend to call you midway through the date. If the date is taking a turn for the worse, fake surprise your date with some bad news and run away.

This may sound pretty fishy when your date hears it, but you’ve got to do what you’ve got to do. You can always call your date and tell them that you did have a nice time, but just don’t see it working out. [Read: Awesome exit strategies to ditch an awful date]

3. Tell the truth

This is hard. But if you have a conscience and a will to help someone in need, this is the wise move. Ending a date by telling the truth could seem arrogant and rude, but it can help your date become a better person. And give you a little halo!

If you’re having a bad date and you find yourself waiting to leave, just say it straight out. You don’t need to be rude or arrogant about it though. Speak calmly a good ten minutes into the date and tell your date that you’re happy to meet them but you just don’t see it working out.

Talk to them about a few personality traits that you don’t find compatible with them. Tell them that they could be a great dating potential if they’d change a few things about themselves. And then, end the date together and walk out together.

Standing a date up or leaving them alone at the table is a big insult and could even scar them for life. Once you’re out, shake hands and walk away warmly. [Read: Being brutally honest – scenarios when it’s an obligation]

Learning how to end a date no matter how it went means that you’ll never feel awkward or make false promises. Approach dating with an open mind and a “just fun” focus. Then, whatever comes your way, you won’t be disappointed.

[Read: What guys never notice on a date]

So what’s your bad date story? Whatever it may be, ending a date will now be easier with these simple steps to handle every kind of date – good or bad.