The doorbell rings as you put the finishing touches on your makeup.

Trying not to look too anxious, you begin to make your way down the stairs, as your date waits at the door and butterflies flutter in your stomach.

You open the door, smile and then crash! You trip over the rug and fall flat on your face.

Although this would constitute a giggle if it happened among friends, having this happen on a date makes the evening far from perfect.

Instead of having your dating days cease after each dating blunder, however, the following guide will help to provide simple solutions for common dating blunders. Think of it as your map to avoid dating taboo.

A wardrobe malfunction

It's every dater's worst nightmare: You're on the date of your life, and all of a sudden you notice a stain on your shirt or a run in your pantyhose.

Luckily, a simple and easy solution exists for all clothing.

To temporarily remove stains, try this simple answer: Lightly dab ice water on to the stain, and then lightly dab it again with a clean napkin.

Resist the urge to rub the stain clean; it will only make the stain worse and will hurt your wallet when you have to take it to the drycleaners.

Finally, excuse yourself to the bathroom and use the hand dryers to lightly dry the spot from your soiled article of clothing.

If you're feeling more on the modern side, carry a Tide To-Go pen. It's a stain-fighting fortress disguised as a pen, so carrying it around is a breeze. Simply swipe, dab and let dry. Then feel free to enjoy the sight of your date's eyes rather than that unsightly stain on your clothes.

Ladies, removing runs in your pantyhose is easy as pie. Just remember to bring a bottle of clear nail polish with you, and apply it over the run as soon as you notice it beginning. It should stop the problem and keep you safe for the rest of the night. Packing an extra pair isn't a bad idea either. They're small enough to fit in a purse, and changing in the bathroom is a snap.

Complexion deal-breakers

Your face can either make or break a date, so when Mother Nature decides to make a comet appear on your face, all you want to do is make it go away.

Although there is truly no "quick fix" for a pimple, solutions exist that make them less noticeable.

First thing's first; redness must be removed. In order to do this, concoct a paste of aspirin and water, and dab it on the infected spot overnight. Aspirin reduces the redness and the swelling, which will help to improve the appearance of the pimple.

A good concealer is also crucial in covering up a zit. (Men, you could do this too if you're really worried about your appearance). Start with finding a color that matches your skin tone. Then begin by slightly patting a little concealer on the pimple, and finish by blending it into the surrounding skin areas. Make sure, however, that the concealer is not visible from far away and that it is properly blended in: No one wants a blotchy face on a date.

If desperate times call for desperate measures and you need to get rid of the pimple now, doctoral assistance can be obtained. For about $30, your doctor can administer a shot directly into the pimple that will shrink it dramatically.

Dates with no manners

While most people are usually on their best behavior when it comes to dates, some simply aren't the diamonds in the rough they seemed to be. However awful it may seem, here are some pointers for dealing with dates with bad manners.

If the host forgets his or her wallet, assume that he or she genuinely forgot.

Always be prepared for a lack of cash by bringing at least $60 with you, depending on the occasion and where you're going. This will save you from both embarrassment and from washing dirty dishes in your dinner garb.

Some dates are meant to be and some simply aren't. This rule holds true for guys and girls. If you're having a thoroughly miserable time, always have a backup plan. Weapon of choice: The cell phone.

Tell one of your friends or a roommate that you're going on a date and you're not sure how it will be turning out. Tell them that if you text them a secret word –— say, "dog" — that's their cue to call you while you're on your date, tell you that something suddenly came up and you're needed back home.

This will cause you to become flustered, your date will completely understand and voila! You are out without having to feel too much guilt.

Reporter Stephanie Small: stephaniesmall@thedaily.washington.edu