Don't forget..

The chewing gum. Or mints. Or whatever mouth freshener can neatly fit in your pocket. You never know when you'll need them. Particularly when you're on a date buying every second round and trying to keep up with his speedy Gonzales drinking. 5 pints, 3 (very quaint) teapots of some strange, potent cocktail and a plate of sushi did not leave me in the best of condition.

It was mortifying. It was hilarious*. And I somehow pulled it off.

I felt a tad guilty I'll admit. Mostly when I told him that I was actually on the phone to my best friend whose longterm boyfriend had just broken up with her and that's why I was gone so long. He told me I was a great friend. I lapped it up. The situation did leave me with the distinct resolve never to drink so much on a date again. And I'm normally so good**??!!

Furthermore, I've made a pact to ignore every single person in a bar when on a date from now on. I made the foolish assumption that all the ladies in the club were lesbians. It always seemed like such a safe bet. I'm not into you, you're not into me. Not any more. Talking to that lovely Thai girl while he was off in the bathroom left me with an odd feeling. Was she flirting me? Then it hit me. Oops. She's transgendered. And then my date came back looking very confused and then a little bemused at my innocence. Now I have nothing wrong with anyone who's transgendered but girls ain't my thang and this guy was hot.

You'll be surprised to know that the date went quite well but I was only in London briefly and then he moved off to New York. Oh well. Another rule to add to the dating files.

PS Check out the chronicles of this guy's dates in NY. I'm really enjoying reading them and I can't wait for the next one. Exciting shtuff.

*Regaling the story to my friends the next day that is.

**At drinking vast quantities of alcohol.