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How to End a Bad First Date Without Making It Weird, According to Dating Experts

A matchmaker says ending a date early can be kinder than forcing chemistry, as long as you are clear, respectful, and safe.

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One of the worst first date experiences is showing up and immediately knowing you and the other person are not a match. Sometimes it’s intuitive; other times, it’s revealed through conversations, where you learn about mismatched values or pick up on off-putting energy. 

“One of the biggest myths about terminating a bad date is the idea that one needs to spend several hours of time in the company of another person just because the person has paid for the dinner and agreed to go out with you. One should not,” says Brie Temple, COO & Chief Matchmaker at Tawkify. “Respecting the feelings of another person does not mean ignoring the needs of oneself. One can be brutally honest with the least possibility of hurting anyone’s feelings by dragging the date unnecessarily long if the chances of it working out seem very slim.”

Still, prematurely ending a date can feel rude,........

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