What’s going through his mind on your first date? Discover what your date is really thinking..

When you arrive for your first date, you've probably already got a checklist in your head that you'll use to assess your date's potential. 'Does he make me laugh?', 'Will my friends like him?' and 'Has he got long-term potential?' He'll be asking himself questions about you too in order to weigh up whether you are future girlfriend material. Here are some questions that will be going through his mind during your date.

'Am I one of many?'

During the first date, each person is testing the water. There are no guarantees or commitments from either side at this point. However, he will be asking himself whether he is one man in a long line of suitors or whether you chose to go on a date with him because he's different from the rest. Knowing that there's a little competition for your affections will encourage him, but don't give the impression that you've got men lining up at your door or that you date new men frequently.

'Is she high-maintenance?'

He'll be asking himself this question to gauge whether you're going to dent his wallet. Don't order the most expensive item on the menu or choose the most exclusive wine. Alarm bells will start ringing in his head. At worst, he might assume that you're a gold-digger and at best, he might be put off because he thinks that he can't keep up with your high-class lifestyle.

'Does she have "issues"?'

A man will view a woman who is very emotionally demanding from the start to be more effort than she's worth. If you talk at length about previous relationship disasters or display behaviours such as extreme jealousy, guilt or anger, he will more than likely not make arrangements for another date.

'Will she like my friends?'

Having a girlfriend that can hang out with his friends is extremely important to men. When they don't get along, it can be a real headache, and ultimately, the boys will always win. When sizing you up for a possible friendship with his buddies, he'll try to figure out how easygoing you are. An uptight woman who finds fault in everyone and everything does not make ideal girlfriend material.

'It's only a first date, but can I trust her?'

Trust is just as important to men as it is to women. Although it's your first date, you both might end up revealing little pieces of information which would otherwise be private among friends or colleagues. Providing that your information isn't too personal, it's a good technique to test trust. He'll be asking himself, 'Will everything I tell her end up in an email to her girlfriends?' By keeping a balance between the information you share, he will be reassured that you've opened up to each other equally and therefore that information is less likely to be gossiped about.

'What will my mom think of her?'

For many men, pleasing mom (or family) may be pretty close to the top of his list of things he would like in a girlfriend. Be sexy, but don't be vulgar on your first date. Limit your use of swear words and don't wear anything too revealing. He wants to be turned on by you, but he also wants to see the side of you that will impress his mom. Strike a balance between both on a first date to satisfy his internal 'Will mom like her?' questions.

'Is this a "just friends" thing or is she sexually attracted to me?'

When you know little about each other, it is all the more difficult to 'read' each other. He'll be asking himself over and over again, 'Does she like me?' If you are sexually attracted to him but you don't want to go too far with him on a first date, you can still subtlety let him know that you're interested. Touch his hand, hold his gaze or tell him he looks attractive. Make it clear that this is more than just a friendship in the making.

The questions he'll be asking himself on a first date aren't too dissimilar to yours. If you want to be one step ahead of the game, keep the above questions in mind as your first date kicks-off. Carefully give him answers to his questions that he's looking for and there's sure to be a second date.