First date conversations - what should I talk about?
Going on a first date can be very nerve racking, but remember with some careful planning you can rid yourself of the butterflies and relax and have fun. It’s also helpful to remember that you are both likely to be a little nervous, but you are both there for the same reason, to chat and have some fun!
You compare dating sites, create an online dating profile, chat online and arrange a date… now follow our handy dating hints for a stress free date.
Prepare a little before the date
On a first date you’ll want to find out about each other and there are sure to be subjects you are both interested in, your job, hobbies, family, holidays and much more. If you have met your partner online then it’s likely you’ve already struck up a conversation by email or chat and have an idea of the others interests. Before you go on your date have a think about these subjects and those that you can expand upon, jot them down on a piece of paper as a reminder and while it’s likely you won’t need to look at this, knowing they are there will give you more confidence and help the conversation flow. Have a read of his or her online dating site profile again before going on a date and see what subjects you can ask more about. You may also find reading a couple of newspapers to be helpful before the date, so you are up to date with the latest showbiz news and current affairs.
Striking up a conversation on the date
To help you relax and make sure the date runs smoothly, prepare a loose plan of how the conversation may go. You probably won’t need it but thinking of a beginning, middle and end for your chat will make the dating experience less of a strain and the time spent together more enjoyable.
Beginning the conversation
If you have met for lunch or dinner you may ask questions about the menu and food or wine they enjoy, how their day has been, their journey there, their week at work.
- What shall we have to drink?
- Would you like wine with the meal?
- Let’s have a look at the menu. What do you fancy? Is there anything you haven’t tried before?
- Where do you live? What’s the area like?
- How long did it take you to get here?
- What type of work do you do? Do you enjoy it?
The middle of the conversation
You may chat about hobbies, holidays and travel, family or anything else that has been mentioned either during the date or online that could be expanded on.
- What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?
- Where have travelled?
- Are you going anywhere this year?
- Where would you most like to visit?
- What does your job involve? Do you enjoy it?
- What jobs have you done in the past?
You may mix up the conversation with something a little lighter, something like, “If you had a dinner party which 4 people from history would you invite?”
The end of the date and conversation
Towards the end of the date and if the subject of a second date has not already arisen, you may ask:
- Have you seen any good movies recently?
- Is there anything on at the moment you’d like to watch?
Don’t worry if you’ve already seen it! If you would like go on a second date, simply add “I’d love to see it too”. If they are interested they may say something like, “I was thinking of going next weekend, would you like to go together?”.
5 hints for a successful conversation
- Prepare a little and have some questions and topics of conversation in mind before the date.
- Don’t simply talk about yourself, ask questions too and share the conversation.
- Listen with genuine interest.
- You are selling yourself so be positive on the first date.
- Enjoy yourself!
