Dating tips: important advice on starting conversation

Dating can be both exciting and stressful, especially if is one of the first dates with a new person. Of course, dating is all about getting to know someone, so making conversation is an important part of making the date successful. Conversation starters can center around several topics. These topics can include observations about the location of the date, questions about the other person’s likes and dislikes, and mentioning something both people are known to have in common, which could have prompted them going out on a date in the first place.

If, for example, the date involves a walk in a public park and then dinner at a restaurant, a good conversation starter at the park could involve observations of the activities going on within the park. If a person is walking a dog that is reminiscent of a childhood pet, the discussion could focus on amusing memories of either the pet, or of childhood. The key is to seek out things that are part of the immediate environment and make comments that the other person might find interesting. Once in the restaurant, the discussion could begin with noticing the ambience of the restaurant. Also, if the restaurant has been visited before, there could be a conversation about an item on the menu that was particularly appetizing.

Common conversation starters center around asking about likes and dislikes. Avoid asking overused questions pertaining to favorite movies and types of music. Make it more interesting by asking about what the other person would bring if they were stranded on an island, or going on a trip where all they could bring was a backpack. People tend to respond to scenarios such as these by including their most beloved possessions, and finding out what those items are can indicate a lot about a person.

People, unless on a blind date, are on that date because each saw in the other person something that they had in common. They may have the same career interests and met in the office, at a concert, or at a club where both enjoy frequenting at the end of an exhausting work week. Wherever the meeting place was, bringing up something about where they first became interested in each other serves as a basis for a common ground of discussion. For example, if both met in a café while listening to poetry readings, a discussion about favorite local poets and forms of poetry could begin. Finding things in common is the basis of any relationship that is just beginning.

Of course, there are topics to avoid when searching for ways to begin a conversation. Unless both people share the same religion and views regarding politics, those are two of the most important things to avoid, as they almost always result in an argument. Avoid personal questions about family, friends, and past relationships if this is one of the initial dates, because the emphasis should be on light topics that have no chance of becoming too serious too fast. Basically, the person who chooses to initiate the conversation should think about topics that they would feel uncomfortable being asked about, and avoid them. Conversely, topics that the initiator could talk at length about should be implemented into the conversation, and abandoned if the other person wishes to change the subject. The ability to have a great, upbeat conversation is a must for any potential relationship, and creative conversation starters will certainly make for a fun date.