Now that you’ve jumped through all the hoops required in the world of internet dating, and you’re in agreement that you want to take the next step: that initial first date. As you are planning this very special date on the phone, he inquires if you have ever gone to a Tapa restaurant. You take a moment to think, decide on a whim to be adventurous and say that you haven’t, but are most definitely open to trying something new. He suggests a new restaurant that’s just opened. He says he’s heard it’s the latest rave.

Normally these words would not cause you to flinch. But, today you are not yourself – you appear to be having an extremely emotionally charged day. So, as you stand in front of your closet, you decide that today would be a good day to panic because you have nothing to wear. Not because this is true, mind you. But, simply because you have no idea what a tapa restaurant is and neither does your best friend. As the thought runs through your head that perhaps you both need to get out more, you realize that’s exactly what you’re in the process of doing. That thought complete, you decide to investigate what the atmosphere to the restaurant is going to be.

I am not sure if any male reading this can relate to the dilemma I am about to describe here, but there is nothing more embarrassing than appearing at the foyer of a fancy restaurant dressed in your nice casual attire. It also works terrors the other way around. Being Cuban, I was raised to always dress up everywhere you go. You’re going to the grocery store directly across the street and you want to go in your nice, comfy shorts that you’ve been wearing all day? Only if your mom isn’t looking.

Let me just say that being Cuban, I dress up everywhere I go. This is because, any time I’d want to go outside, my mom would stop me at the door and make sure I was dressed appropriately. If I didn’t pass inspection, she’s make me go back and change – even if all I was doing was going across the street for milk and eggs, I am not kidding!!! That said, it shouldn’t be a surprise that I dress Cubanish (meaning: look nice yet not as if I’m off to church – in other words: no heels 24/7).

After a couple of these incidences where I was either under- or over-dressed, I decided this would not happen to me again. So, now, if I am invited to a restaurant I am not familiar with, I go on their site and look at live footage (if available) to see what people wear when they are there. If they don’t have live feed cameras on their site, I call and ask what the recommended attire is. If I’m not familiar with the food (as was the case here), I will take this opportunity to inquire as to that as well.

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