Photo Credit: Pinterest -xoNecole
Many prefer to sit on their couch with a bowl of chips and enjoy a lazy day rather than going on dates because they are afraid their date could go wrong. Take a deep breath; it is not as difficult as you make it to be. Here are 7 ways to avoid all the toe-curling awkwardness;
1. Be Calm: There's no cause for worry. You're meeting with somebody who could potentially be your LOYL, not pitching to an investor or speaking to a panel of interviewers. Although, the core of uneasiness before a date may be attributed to the fear of not being accepted. However, being yourself allows you to single out the person who's perfect for you.
2. Talk More, Interview Less: It should be a conversation, not an interrogation. The goal is to get to know each other enough to see if another date is possible. To be honest it’s not out of place to have some questions in mind before you meet. Sometimes, you may not need them as the conversation will flow naturally, but it’s okay to know how the person thinks, their values, outlook on life, even political leanings or faith if that’s of interest to you.
3. Forget the Phone: Seriously, no other words needed. At that moment, the phone is a distraction. Except you want to take photos.
4.Avoid Self-Idolatry: You don’t want to come off as being narcissistic when you’re not. Your goal should be to find out more about the other person, and not praise yourself. That doesn’t mean you should downplay your achievements or even your lifestyle to please your date.
5.Listen: This is not about keeping quiet or letting the person finish. No, it’s about actively trying to understand what your date is saying. Not in a bid to respond, but to get the point your date is trying to make and understand how their brain works.
6. Talk About Things You Are Both Passionate About: You can easily find this out by asking your date directly and asking them about what they’re doing about their passion. This discussion could give you an idea of your date’s values, which is also very important in human relationships.
7.Don’t Be Too Serious: Guys, it’s not a hackathon or a brainstorming session in the boardroom. It’s a conversation between two people who genuinely want to know about each other. So, fun should be part of the package.