When you’re on a first date with someone, it’s often difficult to come up with topics to talk about. To avoid silence during your first date, you can prepare in advance by listing the topics you can talk about.
The first date
You will probably be a bit tense on a first date. Maybe it’s a blind date, or you found someone through a dating agency or you met someone through friends. To start, it’s good to realize that the person you’re dating is just as nervous as you are. Being nervous is not surprising at all, but it can lead to awkward silences in the conversation during the date. Below you will find a number of safe topics that you can discuss without giving him or her a negative image or feeling.
Music interests
Everyone cares about music. It’s fun to discover together what music you both like. Look for common ground in each other’s interests, talk about artists, music styles, bands, CDs, etc.
Food and drink
You usually have something to eat and/or drink on a first date. That’s a good time to also talk about this subject. What are your favorite dishes, where is your favorite restaurant and what is your favorite pub? Tell anecdotes that have to do with food, but make sure you don’t talk about anecdotes about possible ex-partners. On a first date it is still too early to bring up possible exes.
Animals
Talking about animals can also go a long way on a first date. With a bit of luck, your date also has a pet and you can ask him or her to tell you all about it. You can also talk about your own pets. Try to tell funny stories about your pet or the neighbor’s dog, for example.
Family
Talk about your family. This way your date can get a little glimpse into your world. Tell fun anecdotes, for example from your younger brother or your older sister. Perhaps there are newborn nieces or nephews in the family. Be careful with negative points, don’t put all the joys and sorrows on the table and don’t immediately discuss family scandals or family feuds.
Travel and vacation
Tell about the countries you have been to. Interesting anecdotes about cities or funny incidents that you can remember do well. Be careful not to brag, for example about how drunk you were or how many girls or boys you ,conquered, during your vacation.
Spare time
Talk about things you do in your spare time. What are your hobbies. Do you like to go out, or would you rather just stay at home and watch a DVD? If you have a special hobby, please tell us briefly about it. Be careful that in your enthusiasm you do not devote half the evening to this subject. The hobby you have may not interest the other person, and by talking a lot about that one hobby you can give the impression that you don’t have time for anything else, including a new love.
Sport
Not everyone likes sports. If you are an athlete yourself, you can bring the conversation to sports. If you notice that your date is not very interested in sports, change the subject.
What do you absolutely not talk about on your first date?
There are a number of topics you should really avoid on your first date:
- Don’t talk about one or more ex-partners, this gives the impression that you are not completely over it yet
- Don’t talk about financial matters, such as what you earn and what you spend: this is far too personal for the first date
- Don’t be tempted to tell untruths. A lie can always come true, causing your date to drop out immediately
- Don’t talk about sex or your sexual experiences, don’t make sexually suggestive comments. On a first date, this will immediately put out a fire that may have just started.
Tip: Make sure your gaze stays focused on your date, don’t let your gaze keep wandering. This comes across as if you are not interested in what your date has to say. Make sure all your attention is on him or her.