First Dates

Many people love to talk, but they don’t like to listen. Being a good listener is a skill, but one that can be acquired with practice. Listening well takes effort and patience, and requires you to focus on the other person, instead of yourself. If you want to really get to know someone well on a date and beyond, becoming a great listener is an important step.

Have you ever wondered about your listening skills? Maybe you’ve had feedback in the past that you’re not very good at listening, or you’re unsure what not to do. Now you’re thinking of heading into the world of dating and want conversations to go well. If you want to have great first dates – and don’t want to be thought of as a bad listener – what should you avoid doing when you meet?

“If music be the food of love, play on.” wrote William Shakespeare. Music has the power to be inspiring, emotive, and moving, as well as fun and cheering. Whether you’re looking for a first date with a fun soundtrack or a special outing to make memories, there are lots of enjoyable musical date ideas that can help you be in tune with each other. Music can set a scene and create memories. Music is so linked to love, the great romantics among us have even been known to serenade their potential mates! It’s a feast for the senses; listening to it can be intimate and mood changing, as well as joyful and releasing.

First dates are wonderful opportunities to meet potential partners. They can also be filled with pitfalls. We may be nervous, excited or so keen for things to work out that we overlook clear warning signs. So, what first date red flags do we need to look out for?

While it’s only natural to over-think our romantic lives and tie ourselves in knots, the fact is that the purpose of a first date is quite simple: to find out if we want a second date with that person. So, what signs and signals should we look out for before deciding whether to meet again? What could we recognise as first date green flags?

Messaging has been going well. You want to meet in person and chat more. The classic first date is to ‘meet for a coffee’ – simple to arrange, public and low cost. It’s a great way to test your online connection and whether there’s more to develop without the pressure of a grand setting or long time commitment. But you still want it to go well. First impressions count! So, what could you do that’s a little more interesting than a couple of cappuccinos? Here are some fun, simple first date ideas that make a great alternative to coffee.

Have you ever been on a date and thought afterwards, “I wish I didn’t talk so much about my cat”, or “Why did I wear these shoes, my feet are killing me!”? Going on a date can be nerve-racking, I know, but it doesn’t have to be! Here are 7 foolproof ways to make sure your date goes well.

We have the recent rise in video-calling for work, family and leisure to thank for the fact that we are now able to catch a glimpse of ourselves and how others might see us. How does this apply to dating? It’s the perfect opportunity to reflect on how we present ourselves and what makes great dating body language, especially when meeting for the first time. How can our body language help us come across positively?