The Dating Game

We know dating isn't rocket science but sometimes it’s nice to just have a little help and guidance. So with that in mind we've put together a few simple steps for you to remember during and after the important date, to ensure that you enjoy it rather than stress about it. You can thank us later!

Breaking the ice

You may think that this is the scariest part of the date. How will you greet each other? Will you go in for a hug, a quick peck on the cheek, a polite hello and a smile? What will you say to each other? What will you're opening line be? Well fear not. In some ways the initial moment when you meet your date is the easiest part. Think about it, you haven't used up any of your conversation yet and you're still in the small talk stage of the date and small talk's easy, right? We do it all the time; whether it’s with the cute girl from the coffee shop you frequent or the hot guy from accounts that you share the lift with on a daily basis. You're already a pro at it so this shouldn't be any different. Simple questions like 'how long did it take you to get here' and 'the weather's horrible today' may seem boring and mundane but you're really just going through the motions. This chit chat simply has you covered while you secretly work out that all important first impression.

Be honest

While your date may seem cool, calm and collected, underneath that smouldering demeanour they are probably just as nervous as you are. It's only natural to feel this way on a first date. After all, you're meeting with someone that you probably don't know very well, it's just the two of you, and you want to make a good impression. However, dates are supposed to fun so you want to be able to enjoy yourself without feeling like a bag of nerves the whole time. There's no need to go into detail just a simple 'I was a bit nervous on the way to meet you' will do. Chances are you're date will probably warm to you more after your honesty as they will see the more vulnerable side to you. So don't let the first date nerves reduce you to a gibbering wreck. It's amazing how simply saying those words will help you to feel a lot more relaxed

Talk the talk

Talk too much and risk being self-obsessed and ‘gobby’, don't talk enough and risk that dreaded awkward silence. It's a tough predicament for any singleton to be in, but the general rule is to strike a good balance between listening, talking, asking relevant questions and smiling and nodding in all the right places. The most important thing is that your conversation is natural, relaxed and has flow. If you ask a question then listen to the answer, don't just wait for your turn to speak. Don't cut in or interrupt when your date is talking and don't talk over the top of them. It all sounds fairly obvious but on a first date when you are both trying to get your personalities across, there can sometimes be competition. Essentially the main aim of a date is to determine whether or not you have a connection with the other person. Chances are if there is a connection the conversation will flow naturally anyway.

So there you have it, three easy tactics to make sure you keep your cool on your date. Now the only thing left to do is get one. Why not sign up to Independent Dating today and put them to the test by securing yourself a date with one of our singles.