I’m Saito, a columnist♪
If you meet and things continue, I don’t think there should be any problem.
That said, men will probably make offers to other women as well, so it’s best to keep in mind that you’re always being compared and competing with others.
Maezawa from the Corporate Planning Office here as well.
Would it be difficult to go to your part-time job wearing a skirt?
Alternatively, you could bring a skirt with you and change into it before heading home—it might make a difference.
I don’t think there’s any problem with whatever you choose to wear, but I feel that dressing appropriately for the date will leave a better impression.
I’m a UC male member and also a member of the new salon. My name is Rula.
Generally speaking, showing up to a first date in the kind of casual clothes you’re describing probably won’t leave a very good impression.
If I had been matched with you, the thing I would dislike most is this: you show up on the day in casual clothes without saying anything, and then, after we meet, explain that it was because of work.
I’d probably think, “If you’d told me beforehand, I would have chosen a different restaurant!”
Now, if you told them in advance, that would be different. Let’s say you informed the club, and the club told me beforehand, “Due to work, she’ll have to come in casual clothes...” In that case, I would reply, “Then I’ll reserve a more casual restaurant. Thank you for letting me know in advance,” and choose a suitable place for the date.
That said, since it’s still the first date, I’d probably be left feeling a little disappointed, thinking, “It would have been nice to have our first meal somewhere more proper.”
So, if I were in your position, rather than telling your date that you have no choice but to come in casual clothes, I would do my best to think of a way to wear something nice to the first date.
If you wear something nice the first time and then dress casually on the second date, it creates a nice contrast. So I think it would be better to find some way to dress nicely for the first date.
For example, you could leave a nice outfit in a coin locker near your part-time job and change after work.
Or, if you’re meeting in a hotel lobby, you could contact the hotel in advance and ask whether there’s somewhere you could change that day.
It may be worth thinking of a specific solution based on your circumstances.
You could also ask to move the meeting time back by 30 minutes to an hour to allow time to change.
Rather than saying, “Due to my part-time job, I’ll be wearing casual clothes that day. I hope that’s okay,” I would have a better impression if you said, “Because of my part-time job, I’d like to have some time to change before the date. I’m sorry to trouble you, but would it be possible to move our meeting time back by 30 minutes?”
I think it’s important to consider what your top priority should be.
I’m Basil, a male member.
Personally, I prefer a fairly normal look, so anything understated should be fine. For first meetings, I usually go to a restaurant inside the hotel where we meet, but hotel guests in casual clothes also dine there, so I don’t think you’ll feel too out of place.
Generally speaking, since the person you’re meeting is older, it’s safest to avoid anything too casual. Also, depending on the restaurant, you might stand out, so check the atmosphere in advance on a gourmet or restaurant-review site.
More importantly, if you already have a date arranged, the other person may have their own preferences, so why not ask the staff frankly for advice?
