There’s nothing like a first date to make you neurotic.

Not only are you worried about what you’re going to wear, but you’re also trying to figure out what you want to talk about with your date. You don’t want to look stupid, but you also don’t want to look shallow or arrogant about your life.

Breathe.

First things first, if you’re already a shy person, you’re nervous enough about talking, so why make it any worse with trying to put all of the pressure on yourself to keep the conversation rolling. Instead, start asking your date about their life and what they think of things. Ask about anything so long as you ask open ended questions.

(That means that the questions require more than a yes or a no)

Once you get your date talking about something, ask them to go into more detail, ask about how it made them feel, etc.

Before you know it, you’ll have a date that thinks that you’re the best listener in the world as well as someone who’s genuinely interested in them. Because you are.

It’s really not what you’re talking about with your date, but rather what they’re telling you about themselves.

You can always talk more on the SECOND date.

Dating Essentials Conversation Topics, First Dates, Listen, Nerves, Shyness

Just getting someone to say ‘yes’ is stressful enough, but when you’re all relieved and happy that he/she agreed, it hits you.

I’m going to look like a fool.

Before you go into panic mode, here are some tips for your first date that will make things go a lot smoother.

• Realize that your date is just as nervous as you are
• Don’t worry about being overly funny or witty, just be yourself
• Bring enough cash for both of you
• Have a backup plan if you want to leave
• Realize that you’re just on a date, you’re not getting married

The main reason why some people get so nervous on first dates is that they think that if this is the person of their dreams, they’d better not screw it up. However, why not approach it like any other outing with a friend?

That’s all they are at this point anyways.

Try to ask a lot of questions of your date to see what he/she is like. By doing this, you are showing that you are interested in their interests, and you also won’t have to talk as much.

If you run into a pause of silence, don’t get nervous. Just wait a few moments and then ask about something that you’re doing – how’s the food? What did you think of the movie?

Even the best conversationalists will run out of things to say occasionally. The trick is to not get nervous and just slowly get back into a conversation.

Sweaty palms? It’s okay. He/she is probably reading this too.

Dating Essentials Conversation Topics, Date Ideas, First Dates, Funny, Interests, Nerves