How to Make Conversation on a Blind Date

Your blind date needs some oomph if all you're talking about is how cloudy it is.

Yes, the weather is nice. But it may rain on Wednesday. If your blind date is spent talking about the weather, you certainly have a lot of work to do. You can make conversation on a blind date that is actually exciting, fun and gets you a second date with the following tips.

Instructions

1. Talk about him. Most people, unless they are hiding a sordid past as a serial killer, love to talk about themselves. Don’t pry into topics that seem to make your date uncomfortable, but do find out what he’s all about, where he grew up, why he now lives in your town and what his goals in life are.

2. Tell him some fun stuff about yourself. He doesn’t need to know you were born at exactly 12:27 p.m. on a Thursday, but he may be interested in finding out that you make a habit of skydiving or volunteer for the suicide hotline.

3. Ask offbeat and interesting questions. These include more than just why he now lives in Austin, but what kind of animal would he like to be, what’s the biggest challenge he’s ever faced, what one thing in life would he change if he could and what does he consider his greatest accomplishment.

4. Bring up current events. Steer clear of politics, unless his eyes light up at the word “election,” but talk about the latest natural disaster, the funniest story you heard lately or the weirdest news, like the woman who bit a pit bull to stop it from attacking her own dog. This can lead to more questions about each other, like sharing the biggest natural disaster you both lived through or what lengths you would go to protect your pet.

5. Be quiet. There is nothing wrong with lulls of silence between conversation. It shows you are comfortable. Don’t think you have to yammer and chatter throughout the whole date.

Tips & Warnings

• If a topic is obviously making your date uncomfortable, steer the conversation away from it but note it if you do go into a deeper relationship so you can find out what kind of secret he’s holding in that arena.

• Don’t shock him too much until you know him better. Some people get mad or offended if you ask, even in jest, if they’ve ever robbed a bank or killed somebody.