Tips for Confident First Date Conversation

On a first date, it can sometimes be tough to avoid an oversharing disaster. Fear no more — here are a few first date conversation tips to get things going without a hitch.

The Basics

Before you worry about the specifics, here are a few general tips for great date conversation:

Make Eye Contact – Maintaining eye contact is essential. This lets your date know that you’re paying attention, and that you’re open.Listen – Listen to what your date has to say. Don’t ramble on or ignore what they have to say. It’s harder to listen, so prove that you can be attentive and interested.Be Passionate – Exude excitement and positive energy while talking about the things that make you tick.Be Confident – If you’re both quiet, it can be an awkward date. But there is a fine line between being confident and cocky, so exude confidence in your body language and while you’re speaking.Have a Sense of Humor – A sense of humor is one of your best assets on a date. Let that shine, and make your date laugh.The Don’ts

Stay away from:

Getting too philosophic – Of course you should express your passions, but keep things light and fun.Me, me, me – Being memorable isn’t always about talking about yourself. Ask questions and your date will think you’re interesting, too.Being fake – In terms of complimenting your date, don’t be overbearing, but stay sincere. For example, don’t tell them you love their shoes if you actually think they’re hideous.Something To Talk About“I’ve always wanted to…”

Opening up to your date by letting them in on something you’ve always wanted to do will help them to open up, too. What are your dreams? If your date starts talking about places they’ve been, mention a few where you’d like to travel to one day. The same goes for activities, carrer goals, and more.

“How did your interest in ____ start?

Show interest in your date by asking them questions, too. If they mentioned a hobby or something about their job, ask them how they got started. You’ll find out more about your date, and it’ll keep the conversation interesting. You’ll be able to throw in some personal anecdotes, too.

“This one time…”

Speaking of personal anecdotes, give a few of your own! It will open up the floor for stories from your date, too. Personal stories are a great way to give a peek into your personality, and it’s a great way to get comfortable with your date. Just remember not to overshare anything gross or too intimate — you don’t want to turn your date off.

“My favorite ____ is…”

What’s your favorite food, hobby, weekend activity, etc.? Especially if you’re out already at a bar or restaurant, talking about your favorite foods will give you a safe topic for conversation. You’ll also be able to gauge whether or not your share culinary preferences, and it may give you an idea of where you should grab a bite on your next date.

“Have you ever been to?”

You should be able to determine how well the date is going after a while, so when your conversation drifts to local happenings, ask your date if they’ve been to a favorite spot of yours. You can mention a great restaurant you frequent, and ask if they’ve ever been. Conversation like this can lead into planning another date without being pushy.

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