HELP First Date Ideas?

Perhaps make a list of common interests first - unless it's a blind date - do you both enjoy food? Is there a food market or fete near you - food tasting can fill in a lot of awkward silences. Is it to be a night time date or during the day? The weather is allegedly improving this weekend and all restaurants will be booked (phew!) picnics are relatively cheap to prepare. Tell us a bit more and I'm sure you will get many more ideas.

Maybe something different than a usual date...In London there are closed gardens where u can go free in bad weather and free museums...

My second date with my now husband was a picnic in a park as it was lovely weather: we played the sh*thead card game, had picnic food and a couple drinks and walked about the park. I still remember it fondly have a great date!

When I first met my partner, I think the 3rd time we met, we walked my dogs together (it was crucial that he liked dogs and my dogs liked him) and it was lovely.. he came back to mine afterwards for a coffee and the rest is history

its practically a blind date which is why I have been struggling, I know him only through a loose work connection so we pass say hello and he eventually gave me his number - have rang and chatted but only re date as he wants to leave getting to know each other more for the date. So now im a nervous mess worried conversation will be strained we are going to a cafe for afternoon tea then a stroll to a park. Should I tell him im leaving my evening free as he mentioned drinks but feels like more pressure if it dosent go well? I should just adopt more cats..........

Picnic.

My first date with my partner was a chat over a coffee / hot chocolate in a small cafe. We started talking and getting to know each other next thing I know four hours had past.

I'd make a first date something casual myself. Dinner isn't easy to make shorter if it feels awkward! Maybe a nice pub with a beer garden? That way you can have a casual drink and if you are getting on well and feel like extending the date maybe move on to get food. But gives you the option to go home after a couple of drinks

Dating has literally done my head in, it seems no one really knows what they actually want or when they meet you they get scared of the thought of another relationship and then go cold.

My last relationship was the best but it ended so the bad out weighed the good in the end, such a shame.

I tend to go for a walk somewhere, I dont like the idea of meeting in a bar or trying to find them in a busy room. At least this way you can chat and get to know each other, you could always stop for food or drink if its going well

go for a nice walk together while talking and if there is a nice cafe nearby stop in there x

Hi OneeyedRaven

You sound nervous! No need to be. It's a date, not an interview. You both want it to work. Men and women love talking about themselves and their own experiences to anyone who is, and sounds, interested.

Plan ahead and practice some 'conversation starter' questions.

Here's a handy list of 160 questions -

https://conversationstartersworld.com/first-date-questions/

Make your own list of your Top 20 favourites from these.

For your own Top 20 select 'leading' questions you yourself would find easy and enjoyable to answer, and which can't be answered in one word, or in one sentence. Choosing the questions you yourself would be happy to answer helps steer the conversation to some of the things you have in common, and that you can both easily talk about.

For example:

• Where did you grow up, what was that like?
• What made you move to London/Birmingham/Cardiff/ this town etc?
• What are some movies you really enjoyed? What are your favourite TV series?
• What pets have you had since childhood, and what would you like to have?
• Where have you travelled? Best and worst travel experiences?
• What are your favourite international foods? What about British foods? What food do you hate?
• What are your favourite go to cafes, bars and restaurants around here?
• How many siblings do you have? Where do they live, what do they do? Are they married? Kids....Who's your favourite and why?
• What would be your dream job?
• What would you do if had enough money to not need a job?
• What hobbies would you like to get into if you had the time and money?
• If you won the lottery.....

Don't take your list with you obviously - just creating and writing down your Top 20 will give you loads of ideas come date night and you'll probably only use a few of them.

Remember to ask lots of follow on questions especially where you find something in common, and to also give reasonably long answers to his questions. That way you'll both have something to work with.

Have fun. I'm sure you'll be absolutely fine!

Johnny

PS. Before your date try answering your own Top 20! And knock out any that you struggle with.