Casual Dating

Do’s

1: Share your dreams and hobbies: Discussing your dreams and hobbies can open a wide range of conversations that could last for hours. It is a brilliant way to start a conversation or to keep it going. And if you don’t have many hobbies or dreams, express your interest in trying new things.

2: Talk about work/schooling: Talking about work, school, and the goals you might have set for yourself is a great way to express the type of person you are. This shows others that you are a motivated individual who has plans for the future. No one is ever too old to keep growing or reaching for the stars. Besides, work and school take up so much of our daily time, so why not discuss it? Especially if you enjoy your work or school program.

3: Talk about your pets and siblings: Telling your date about your pets or funny stories about your siblings can keep the conversation light-hearted and fun. You can also learn what household pet your date prefers or if they are an only child.

4: Presenting yourself is key: No one likes a smelly date, make sure you are groomed and dressed for the occasion. Your first impression could make or break a date. Not only is it proper to be presentable for a date, but it’s also preferred. The way you dress or smell shows a lot about yourself as a person and if you care what others may think.

5: Express your passions: This one goes hand in hand with sharing your dreams and hobbies, it can open up the conversation. Expressing your interests can open you up and shows the other person you have spirit and that you are passionate about something in your life. It shows a part of you that is beautiful, a part of you that makes you an individual.

Don’ts

1: Never overshare: Watch what you share with others, especially on the first date. Something like marriage is a huge no-no on the first date, it’s way too soon to be discussing marriage and can cause the other person to feel uncomfortable. Another big one is children, it’s a discussion for the future, not the present. After all, we don’t want to scare away our dates, do we? Try and stay away from talking about your exes as well, this can be very uncomfortable for the other person.

2: Religion and politics are off the table: Politics and religion should never be brought up when casually dating for they are a sort of, “hot topic,” which could stir up many emotions in both parties. I’m not saying debating is off the table, but when it comes to religion and politics, you should try and avoid them until you both have a better understanding of one another.

3: Never bring friends or family: Can you say awkward? Whatever you do, don’t ever bring friends or a family member on a date with you, this is not the time to be third wheeling someone. It’s however, perfectly fine to have someone come with you and sit at another table pretending to be a stranger. This could be a safe way to meet someone for the first time.

4: It’s not all about you: Try not to drown the other person out by talking all about yourself and not giving them the chance to speak. This isn’t a competition about who has the better life or who can speak for the longest. The purpose of casual dating is to get to know one another by both sharing and listening to one another.

5: Get off your phone: The whole point of a date is to get to know the other person, so please stop staring at your phone, it’s rude. Although we live in a generation of phones being used for everything including dating, it doesn’t need to be used while on a date. You are there to get to know the other person, plain and simple. Ten to twenty years ago, we managed to go on dates without having these devices.

Casual dating is probably one of the hardest things to do because it’s the start of a possible relationship, it is the starting point. It can be awkward or even horrible, but it could also be something really special if you could learn to listen and discuss appropriate conversations while on a date. The expression, “don’t judge a book by its cover,” seems to fit in nicely when it comes to casual dating. Although some people may overshare or even stare at their phones just a bit too much while on a date, you should always give the person the benefit of the doubt, if you enjoyed their company make the plans to go on a second date and give them another chance.