Going on a date? Here’s some conversation tips
But opening a conversation with someone new can be fairly hard. First date conversations tend to put on a great deal of anxiety, as you’d probably think there’s more at stake if you don’t make a good first impression. Here are some tips to break the ice on a first date.
Make the first move. Catch their eyes and smile briefly. If they make a direct eye contact and smile back, they are open to talking. You can tell if the other person is interested in you by the way he or she reacts towards you. If the person is happy to continue chatting with you, their smile would get wider, they would move closer and lean towards you. If they don’t seem enthusiastic, don’t worry because other people get nervous too.
Give compliments. People tend to put on a lot of effort to look their best on a date, so being told that you look good is a pleasant thing to hear. If you do compliment, be sincere. Make a truthful and personal flattering remark at the other person. However, avoid commenting on the noticeable body parts and instead focus on detail. Say something that makes the other person proud, such as his or her laugh, positive attitude, or confidence among others.
Bring out your sense of humour. Remember that the date should be fun. Humour is a great icebreaker. Use it to bring a smile to their face and let them know that you are fun to be with. Make every activity light and happy. However, if you see that your date isn’t laughing at your jokes, don’t tell another one.
Make yourself safe to talk to. When you meet someone you are interested in, be curious about this person. Ask open-ended questions (questions that are not answerable by “yes” or “no”) and create conversations out of mutual interests to keep the talk going.
Stick to safe topics. Music, pets, favourite past times, dreams and aspirations are wonderful subjects for a date. Not only do you learn about your date’s character, but it will also help the both of you relax, especially if you find a mutual point of interest. Avoid talking about topics that might generate arguments, bad vibes or that awkward silence, such as past lovers, politics, religion, vices or money. You can learn these things eventually as your relationship grows, but preferably not on a first date.
The key to the success of your date conversation (or any conversation at that) is to listen as much as you talk. Your date will feel special if they can see that you actually pay attention to what they say. And as a last reminder: don’t be nervous! After all, dating is all about knowing other people and having a good time.