First dates can be hard. Here are some ideas for starter conversations. Before you start any conversation in your first date, compliment your date on how they look – that never hurts as a way of getting things started.

First conversation: Find out what common interests you have. You might say “Oh I adore elephants, they’re so amazing and big!” – and your date might reply “My mum and I study elephants, mainly the Indian variety. We helped at an elephant orphanage in Thailand”. Instantly you’ve got a bond and something to talk further about. Of course your interest may not be in elephants. It could be guitar playing, stamp collecting, dancing… any conversation that has mutual interests in its core shouldn’t be awkward!

Second conversation: Ask your date about themselves and their stories. Most people (sadly) love talking about themselves, so this should elicit a good amount of conversation. You could ask your date about their ambitions, their dreams, their beliefs, their travel wishes etc. Make sure that you probe into their answers in an interested way, looking them in the eye, mentioning their name from time to time. Your date is going to feel like they’re important to you, and hopefully they’ll open up and show you some vulnerabilities. If they come out with some random comment like “I’m a really passionate person” you could always ask them to prove it! Whilst that may seem like nonsense, it allows your date to feel comfortable around you, and it’s also an open invitation to show you some affection.

Third conversation: Suggest places you could go together that sound like fun to both of you… now that you know more about each others. “I really like the sushi place down at the shopping mall… their chicken teriyaki is amazing! Maybe we could go there together next week?”. They might agree with your taste in food – or they might come back with a counter offer: “I’m not a sushi fan, but how about pizza at Fred’s Pizza Place? That pizza is so good, and their Hawaiian pizza is simply amazing!”. Either way, you’re having a conversation that can lead you both to a second date…

Let me know how you get on with your first dates, and raise any questions you have. Dating Date is here to help you!