There’s nothing more nerve-wracking than the first date. Will you hit it off? Where will you go and what will you wear? Luckily, first dates can be easy and enjoyable with just a little work. Below, we discuss how to prepare for a first date in Chicago.
Do Your Homework
You don’t want to take the mystery out of date and dive headfirst into all the person’s social media accounts, but it helps you to do your homework. This is mainly to keep yourself safe, particularly if you have not met in person and have only spoken online. According to ExpressVPN’s report on online scams, they’re going up, from 33,000 reported incidents to 56,000 in a year. This has increased with a rise in the global use of dating apps. Luckily, in its list of common signs of a scammer, it does note that one of the main signs is a person who tries to avoid meeting in person. If you are going to see a person in real life, the signs are positive.
Aside from this, you may want to see what interests and hobbies the person has. This will help inform the place you want to visit on a first date and will give you some indication as to what topics of conversation you can choose. Chicago is a vast city with a thriving blues and popular music scene, and there are plenty of things to do and get involved with on a date, but make sure to let people such as friends and family know where you are going and whom with.
Keep It Relaxed
Once you begin to stress about a date, you will lose enjoyment. Don’t overcomplicate things by arranging big activities with hectic schedules. Instead, go for something relaxed and easy, so you can get to know each other. A drink or lunch is a perfect option.
You may feel anxious yourself. However, if it begins to take over, try to practice some relaxation techniques before you go. Harvard Health has some suggestions, and you can take a quick bathroom break to get a minute or two for yourself and collect your thoughts.
Listening and Talking
The art of a successful date is to be adept at both talking and listening. Make sure you pick a quiet spot, as Chicago can be a busy and noisy place. Chicago has a great list of the top restaurants and coffee houses, with lots of museums such as the Chicago Open House, that will provide a quiet moment as you get to know each other.
Before you arrive, prepare some conversation topics. These can be helpful if one person gets nervous and the conversation dries up. You should listen attentively to what the other person has to say. Avoid butting in and talking about yourself, making sure you listen to them. If the conversation stalls, try asking questions about their life before going back to talking about yourself.
Using these tips, you will stay safe and hopefully have fun. Not all items will work out, but with these, you can at least have a good time even if it does not go any further.