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Going on afirst datecan be equal parts exciting and nerve-wracking. You may wonder how to introduce yourself, what questions to ask, and how to keep the conversation going.

If you’re in this situation, you’re not alone. “It’s completely normal to be nervous for a first date,” saysSabrina Romanoff, PsyD, a clinical psychologist who specializes inrelationships.

However, there are steps you can take to prepare for your date and improve your chances of making a good impression. Keeping a list ofquestionshandy can help you get to know your date and have an engaging conversation with them.

In this article, we suggest some tips for making conversation on a first date as well as some questions that may come in handy.

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Tips for Making Conversation on a First Date

Dr. Romanoff shares some tips that can help you prepare for a first date:

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50 First Date Questions

These are some questions you can ask on a first date, to keep the conversation engaging.

Casual and Light-Hearted Questions

These are some casual and light-hearted questions that can help you get to know your date:

Deep and Meaningful Questions

These are some meaningful questions that can help you connect with the person on a deeper level:

Questions for Navigating Awkward Silences

If there’s a lull in the conversation, you can ask your date a hypothetical question to spark the conversation andreengage them.

These are some questions that can help you fill anawkwardsilence:

Keep in Mind

First datescan sometimes be awkward, particularly if there are large gaps in the conversation. Having a list of engaging questions can help you break the ice, get to know your date, and create a connection with them.

Practice asking open-ended questions that start with “who,” “what,” “when,” or “how” instead of binary questions that lead to a yes or no answer.

Remember to breathe, lead with curiosity, and thoughtfully answer any questions asked of you. Take your time getting to know this new person and then consider how you feel and whether or not you’d like to spend more time with them after the first date.

25 Conversation Starters to Get (and Keep!) Someone’s Attention

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