Action Sammy’s Dating Tips: Top 10 Topics to Have on The First Date

by ActionSammy in Relationships, May 19, 2009

Some top discussions to have that can help break the ice on the first date.

So, you’ve just sat down and now you’re wondering what you should talk about. One minute has gone by without a word being said. Two minutes. Three. Four. Five. You’re starting to worry. Your date might be getting bored. You’re both just staring into space and not each other.

While a spell of quiet is expected in the middle of the date while you both quietly digest what you’ve heard in the last two hours or so, plain quiet so early in the evening can be frightening. You want to convince your date that you’re an interesting person to be in a relationship with but how do you do it without talking.

If you read a previous article by this author then you’ll know that there are plenty of topics that are best avoided on the first date. So you’re probably wondering just what is okay to discuss, then. The following is a list of topics that can almost never fail you:

Travel: Almost everyone likes to hear of an interesting new place and chances are that you’ve been somewhere your date hasn’t been to yet. Telling someone of some of the places you’ve been is almost always a sure-fire way to gain their interest and keep their boredom at bay.
Ambitions and aspirations: Showing that you have goals and ambitions and want to get somewhere in life is always sure to gain you favor with your date. Tell him/her some of your ambitions. At the same time, however, be careful not to appear to be too big of an overachiever or dreamer. If you have aspirations of running for elective office, for example, just simply tell your date that you’re interested in going into politics. If you want to be a judge just simply say that you’re planning on studying law.
Movies: We all watch movies. Well, at least most of us, anyway. Start by asking your date what kind of movies he/she is in. Unless your date clearly indicates an interest in a wide spectrum, try to discuss only genres that both typically draw sexes like certain dramas.
Music: This is about the same as movies. We all listen to music and therefore, enjoy talking about it. Again, start by asking what kind of music he/she is into listening to.
Sports: Great news, guys! More and more women are starting to enjoy sports as much as we do. However, it would still be wise to first ask the lady if she does watch sports and what type of sports she mostly enjoys watching. Don’t just pluck the NBA Playoffs out of thin air. Make sure first that she’s at least somewhat keeping up with it. Same thing with the ladies who like sports. Don’t assume that just because he’s a man that it’s safe to just throw the highlights of Monday Night Football out there. Make sure he’s following it, first.
Food: Eating isn’t just a hobby. It’s a necessity. Therefore, very few topics can get someone’s brain cooking the way the discussion of food does. And if you’re contemplating having a relationship with this person, his/her eating habits can play a big role in determining whether or not to keep things going. Ask your date what kind of food he/she enjoys and what kind of restaurants he/she likes going to.
Hobbies: You certainly want to know more details concerning how this person spends his/her free time. Is he a couch potato who spends the entire weekend with the remote control in hand? Is she an unrepentant shopaholic who practically lives in a shopping mall? Try to get a deeper scoop on how this person spends free time. Find out if you both have the same tastes when it comes indoor and outdoor activities.
Work: Let each other know what you do for a living. Try to stay on the lighter aspects of your job and talk about the things you like most about it. This would NOT be the perfect time to talk about an argument you had with the boss. And, certainly don’t tell go into details about a coworker of the opposite sex who you “really, really like as a friend”. If you’re unemployed simply tell your date that you’re between jobs. Avoid getting into whatever woes you’ve experienced in searching for a job.
World affairs: This is a good topic to let your date know that you have a broad prospective and that your world doesn’t just evolve around you. But try to exercise a little common sense and avoid topics that are sure to lead to debate like the war on terror and the Middle East.
Places of interest: A certain restaurant. A certain museum. A certain bar/lounge. Talk about your favorite hangouts and find out where your date likes to past time.