You always hear the basic information in bar chat. You catch a girl’s name, what she does for a living, how old she is, and what she likes to do in her free time, but never too much more. Well if you find yourself on a date instead of a chance flirtatious encounter, there are some other things your date would like to know.

It’s critically important to get some information out as soon as possible because it may define how you two are going to take things. The answers to some of these questions may cost you a future date, but you’ll both be happier if it ends quickly than if it carries on and you both realize it won’t work months, or even years, down the line. Let’s examine this information.

1. Do you have kids? Don’t be ashamed, it’s something that a lot of people have. But you do have to tell your date before she finds out. Nothing would be more awkward than her coming home to macaroni doodles and finger paintings and giving you the look that says “You didn’t tell me?” She might have kids, too.

2. Have you been in trouble with the law? Getting a citation for pissing on a parked car doesn’t count, nor does a simple speeding ticket, but a crime for which you might have served jail time does. If the relationship goes on long enough, she’ll find out eventually, and it’ll be painfully awkward. In fact, if she find out months later, she’ll think you lied to her about other stuff.

3. Bad credit should be brought up if the relationship goes on long enough. This isn’t something you need to say on the first date, but it may be something that he or she will want to know if wedding bells are in the future. A spouse with a poor credit history isn’t a deal breaker, but it certainly should be known.

4. If you don’t have kids and don’t want them, it has to be mentioned. This should come up early in the dating process, because a woman may want to have kids and won’t be able to be with you. Don’t let this drag out, because it would be heartbreaking to know that you’ve wasted someone’s time when it could have been avoided.

5. Health issues need to be addressed. If you have an illness or disability she may need to know about, let her know. You may think it’s cruel for someone to not want to be with you for health reasons, but it’s more cruel to expect someone who isn’t able to commit to that to make that kind of a devotion. You’ll find someone else.

6. Whatever you would want to know!

All of the above information is stuff that you absolutely need to give your date at some point. Not telling them any of the above things would lead them on into something they aren’t ready for, and that is not fair to them. And as you’ll know if you’ve read other articles here on the Dating Dave blog, honesty and trust are important!