Dating Tips & Articles

Here's what to say when you are overwhelmed on a first date. Let's set up a scenario. It's Friday. You have had one busy week and you want to just puddle out in your pajamas and slippers and watch a chick flick on TV when you remember that you accepted a date, a date that was set up by a colleague at work or a matchmaker. Therefore, for reasons that you know are for your own good, you should not cancel this date.

On your way to the date you realize that your mind is blank. As a matter of fact, you can only remember your date's first name. The hectic workweek, the routine of daily life have left your mind in an overwhelmed limbo filled with workplace incidents, angst over your future, and butterflies in your stomach over what will happen this evening.

You walk into the restaurant, and there he is. He stands up for you. He seats you at the table and calls you by name. You smile and try like crazy to remember his last name but you can't. He is so relaxed and kind that you feel your nerves loosed just a little, but you still can't think of anything to say.

Here are some modest suggestions:

1. How was your day today?
2. What kind of week have you had?
3. Where are you originally from?
4. Do you enjoy living in this city (suburb, town, village)?
5. Do you like your job?
6. What do you enjoy doing when you have time off?
7. What kind of music (books, movies, plays, and sporting events) do you like?

If there is a lull in the conversation, ask some questions about his childhood.

1. Where are you in your family birth order?
2. Do you spend time with your siblings?
3. Where are you in your family birth order?
4. Who were your childhood heroes?
5. What is your first memory?
6. What is the most memorable class you have ever taken?
7. Who was your favorite teacher?

Some thought provoking questions might follow, such as:

1. If you could have any kind of superpower what would it be?
2. If you found $20,000 in a cigar box on the street with no identification, what would you do with the money?
3. If you could spend a day, or have a dinner party with any 3 people, living or dead, who would you choose?
4. If you could have a year off with all expenses paid, what would you do; who would you see; where would you go?

These questions are guaranteed to get your date thinking about you. Accompanied by your full attention to his answers, they will keep the night rolling and, who knows, maybe be the beginning of a lifetime of conversations with him.