You don’t need to think of anything witty or brilliant. All you need to say is “Hello! I’m Terry. It’s great to meet you!"
If you’ve never been to your location, try “I heard the appetizers here are great. ” “The rain here has been crazy, at least my plants like it!” or “It’s been so warm, makes me miss my surfing days!” are good ways to comment on the weather without seeming like you’re complaining about it.
Finding out how your date’s day was can also help you figure out if the date’s going well. If something unusual or bad happened to them recently, it might affect their behavior on the date. If they tell you they had a great day, ask them what the best part of it was. If they had a bad day, tell them you’re sorry to hear that, and then listen sympathetically.
If you’ve been to their hometown, try to find out if you know the same people or places! It will make you more memorable.
Don’t tell them how much you make–bragging is a turn-off. Resist the urge to complain about your job. Keep your comments positive when you’ve just met someone.
For example, it’s okay to mention that you’re a doctor, but don’t talk about how you were first in your class at Harvard.
For example, if you want to know if your date loves classic cars as much as you do, you could say “What was your dream car when you got your license?” instead of just asking if they like cars. Ask questions that are personal, but not intrusive or upsetting. Asking “What was the worst day of your life?” would require a long response, but your date would probably find it rude, nosy, or even traumatic. Instead, ask something like “How did you get interested in wine tasting?” Base your questions off your previous conversation. If you simply ask a long list of unrelated questions, your date will feel like they’re being interrogated. If your date mentioned that the movie you saw is by their favorite director, ask “Who do you think should have won at the Oscars last year?” Don’t worry about asking too many questions–that’s what blind dates are for!
If you’ve ever had a funny or unusual experience, like meeting a celebrity or accidentally going to work with mismatched shoes, tell it to your date! It doesn’t have to be an anecdote about you. Think of stories that your friends have told, or even ones you saw on television. If it’s not your story, it’s okay to say so–it’s better than having your date wonder why you’re telling a story from their favorite show as though it happened to you. Keep your anecdote lighthearted. Lots of people have a dark sense of humor, but you don’t know yet if your date is one of them. Avoid telling stories about people being injured, humiliated, or frightened. Don’t tell offensive stories. If your anecdote relies on racial, ethnic, or gendered humor, it’s best not to tell it at all.
If you actually don’t know the answer to the question, smile and say you’ve actually never thought of it before, and then ask their opinion. If your date asks a question you don’t want to answer, just laugh and say “I’ll tell you about that later!” and then change the subject. It’s possible that they didn’t know it was a sensitive topic.
Show your date you were listening by asking follow-up questions. For example, if your date just told you about how much they love animals, ask them if they volunteer at the local shelter. Let your body language show that you’re listening. Nod, lean towards your date, maintain eye contact, and periodically tilt your head or cup your chin in your hand.
A simple “I’d love to do this again, would you like to meet up again on Friday?” is a great choice. If you aren’t sure when you can meet again, tell them “I don’t know my work schedule for next week yet, but I definitely want to see you again. Can I call you on Thursday night with something more definite?” If they say yes, you can make plans right there, or tell them you’ll be in touch the next day–it’s up to you. If they say no or reply vaguely, be gracious and polite. Smile and thank them for their time before leaving.
