Confirm your appointment early in the day. Make sure she has the phone number or contact info on how to reach you on short notice. Hopefully she will give you her info as well.
Be on time, or if you aren’t on time be in communication with her regarding why and when you’ll show up to be sure she’s ok with the delay.
Prior to the visit, check out her website and become acquainted with how she wants things done. Some providers want some things done a certain way to avoid having to discuss them. Make sure you do what she asks as directed in her website.
If she doesn't have a website, here are some tips:
• If you are visiting her at a hotel, don't knock loudly on the door. If it's open, let yourself in quietly. If it's closed, knock very quietly so that only she can hear the knock. She should be expecting you at this point so she should be listening for you if the door is closed. Probably a good idea to text that you're on your way to the door.
• Close the door quietly, lock the door, and latch if that is an option. Smile! Give her a hug and kiss on the cheek. If she wants a deeper kiss follow her lead.
• Place the money in an open envelope (or a greeting card, unsealed) on a table or desk at the very start of the date (after "hello") and excuse yourself to the bathroom for a minute or two. That gives her time to check it and put it away (some people stiff the girls, so it's an uncomfortably necessary step) while you freshen up. If you are hosting, be fresh before she arrives, and place the envelope in the bathroom and ask her to use that bathroom to freshen up. Another option is to place the envelope on a table near the entrance door, point or gesture to it, and offer her something to drink. Walk away and get yourself a drink if she declines, or get something for the both of you if she accepts. ...some diversion to allow her to count and put it away is the point.
• If you haven't showered in the previous hour or so, might be a good idea to do a quick wash, even if only with a wet washcloth, to make sure the area is fresh. She may want to join you in the shower for a quick rinse off, so follow her lead if she suggests go with it. If you showered that morning and worked all day, you are no longer fresh. If you showered and then drove 2 hours in the hot sun, you are no longer fresh. Be considerate of her senses and make sure you are squeaky clean.
• If there is mouthwash on the counter, use it. Even if you don't think you need it. Use disposable cups which are usually provided. Don't drink straight from the bottle. If there are mints, use them. Too many people skip this and trust me, it's not pleasant.
• Return to her and take her lead. If you are nervous, go ahead and tell her. She should be able to put you at ease. Ultimately you are in charge, so if there is something that doesn’t feel right go ahead and let her know. Maybe you want to go slower, maybe you want to pass too much small talk. Just be polite in how you approach the topic.
• If you want to extend time, come prepared with extra money and place the money on a surface in plain sight at the start of the extension, but only if she’s ok with the extension. Extending and paying at the end can put her in an awkward place to ask for it in the event that you forget and that’s not fair to put her in that position. Money should never be discussed. It should never come up. Just do it.
If you notice, basically everything above is about respect and consideration. Hygiene, timeliness, politeness…it all pays off in the end. If you find you connect, she will welcome you back. If you are not looking for a repeat, she will be a great reference for you in the future. .. as long as you are respectful and considerate.
I’m excited for you!!! I bet you'll do just fine and have a lot of fun too!!
-Abby
-- Modified on 12/7/2014 12:19:21 AM