Help! I need to cancel a date

You have arranged to go on a date with someone whom you have met online and you are excited about finally getting to meet them, but now something has come up and you have to cancel the date. What should you do?

Consider your options

Do you really need to cancel on your date, or could you rearrange your other option? Cancelling on a first date can set a bad precedent and make them think that you are not interested, so it is best to avoid doing so if you at all possible.

Give as much notice as possible

The natural thing to do when you are put in an uncomfortable situation is to put off making a decision. However, when it comes to cancelling a date, you should get in touch with the person as soon as possible so that your date can change their plans as well. If you leave it to the last minute, they may have spent a lot of time and money getting ready for your date.

Make the call

Nobody wants to receive a message that simply says ‘sorry I can’t make it’, so the best option is to phone your date and explain why you are going to have to rearrange.

Phoning feels more personal and more genuine than sending a text message, or a message via an online dating website.

Set up a new date

Don’t say ‘we’ll have to rearrange’ as it sounds too vague and sounds as if it might never happen. Instead try to arrange a specific time and date for you to meet up with one another.

Offer to pay

You could offer to pay for dinner as a means of apology for rearranging the date. This will show your date that you are keen to meet up again and that you like them enough to invest money in seeing them.