• What did you do last weekend?
• What do you do for fun?
• What are you most passionate about?
• Are you more of a city or mountain person?
• What kind of movies do you like?
• What kind of music do you like?
• Where are you from originally?
• What do you do for a living? (Company names should not be divulged)
• What have you learned from your past relationships?
• What are the most important things you're looking for in a person?
• What do you consider your best attributes?
• If you could be granted 3 wishes, what would they be?
• Which famous people would you invite to your perfect dinner party and why?
• If you had to be someone else, who would you be and why?
• What's your favourite wine?
• What would be your ideal holiday destination - you can go and do whatever you want?
• What's the most reckless thing you've ever done?
• What's your most memorable moment?
• What song best sums you up and why?
• If you won the lottery how would you spend it?
• What three things would you take with you to a desert island?
• What time in history would you have liked to be born in and why?
• If you were to star in a movie, what kind of film would it be and who would be your co-star? 

Open questions get people talking and that's what you want in order to get a good handle on that person's personality. There is nothing worse when meeting someone for the first time then that awkward silence after greeting each other. Kick the silence into orbit. Here's a few more conversation starters:

• How was your day?
• You look really nice, where did you get (item in question)?
• How was work?
• What sports do you play or like? How long have you played for?
• What interesting things did you do this weekend (week)?
• What kind of foods do you like?
• Where did you go to school/college?
• Have you read any good books lately? Was it interesting?
• What do you normally do for fun?
• Do you like (an interest of yours)?
• What's the neatest place you've traveled to?
• What's one place you haven't traveled to yet that you really want to go?

These simple ideas will get the conversation flowing and you will find out what the other person is interested in. Be sure to listen carefully to what the other person says so that you can ask follow-up questions while learning new things. DON'T FORGET.....

• Smile
• Look into their eyes
• Listen carefully
• Laugh
• Be honest, friendly, and interested

A Few Useful Tips To Get The Conversation Going

Tip #1 -

Don't talk about yourself until prompted. People who talk about themselves too much often come across as being boring and conceited.

Tip #2 -

Introduce yourself properly early on. You make a good first impression and avoid the embarrassment of having to ask later, or having to introduce them to someone else not knowing their name.

Tip #3 -

Use their name often. People respond well to the sound of their own name. It also shows that you are listening to them and that you value their company and opinion.

Tip #4 -

Ask open-ended questions. "What is your name?" or "What is the time?" are questions that require a specific and generally short answer. An open-ended question is one that does not require a specific answer, and prompts them to continue or to tell you more. "In what way..." or "Why do you say..." and "When you said... did you mean..." are examples. Open ended questions often use words like why or how, and not who, where or when.

Tip #5 -

Focus your attention on them and listen carefully, showing your interest. They will constantly reveal bits of important personal information. This will provide you with further topics for open-ended questions allowing you to keep the conversation going and show your interest. Good listeners are always regarded by others as great company, no matter how little they actually say!

For single girls

Tip #1 -

Men like to show off. It's not a secret. That's why they buy expensive cars or big screen TVs. They want to be admired and appreciated. Don't be afraid to compliment a man on what he does well and avoid criticizing or correcting him.

Tip #2 -

Think positive. Never, and I mean NEVER, talk too much about your previous relationships. Don't be overly negative when talking about men in general. They hate it when a woman talks about every bad thing men ever did to her. Unconsciously he will get the feeling that you blame him because he is a man too. It is like being guilty before proven innocent.

Tip #3 -

"Men are wonderful creatures but unlike women, very simple creatures. They are winners and hunters by nature. That's why they are so attracted to confident women. It is a new challenge for them. The research made in this area has shown that woman should play 'selectively hard to get' if she wants to become irresistible. It means that she gets a lot of offers from different men but she declines her dates, while indicating that she is willing to date the young man in question, although it will take some effort on his part to persuade her." (Shibley and Hyde, 2000). This strategy will flatter any man.

Tip #4 -

Eye contact that lasts just a little longer than is comfortable. Watch how you want to drop your eyes when you look at a man you find attractive. Begin to allow that look to linger...just a little longer, with a hint of a smile. Definitely sends a message but yet keeps it feminine, which men love.

Tip #5 -

Never try to impress a man. Instead give him an opportunity to impress you. Express sincere interest in something he does or takes pride in. It never hurts to compliment him on the job he does, his posture, his car. Men love compliments just as much as women do. Why not make them feel better and make them want to spend free time with you.

For single guys

Tip #1 -

One of the most important tips I can give a man is to learn how to listen to a woman. Most women love to talk. The ability to listen to a woman shows her your interest and ability to compromise. Stimulate the conversation by starting your questions with 'How?' 'Why?' 'What?'. That way you won't get a dead-end answer. For example, instead of asking 'Did you like that movie?' ask her 'What do you think about that movie?' and just listen.

Tip #2 -

Under no circumstances should you talk about your previous relationships in detail, discuss your ex-partners or sex. It is a taboo for guys on a first date. Be strong no matter how much a woman tempts you to. You should stay a mystery for her to make her expect with impatience the second date.

Tip #3 -

When talking to a woman be honest. The biggest mistake you can make is to lie, stretch the truth or even fake a smile in order to look more appealing in her eyes. The very first time you are caught, you credibility will be destroyed. That's the fastest way to lose a woman's trust and any kind of future relationships with her.

Tip #4 -

If it's cold outside then wear the softest pullover you can find on your date. Women love soft and fluffy fabrics. They will unconsciously get the desire to touch and snuggle this pullover (and since you come with it, you as well).

Tip #5 -

It is a big mistake to boost your courage levels by using alcohol. If you drink a little too much you're not going to be at your best. You don't want to say too much or even end up drooling on her new, pressed clothes.

Great first date tips

Top Dating Tip - Never Ask A Negative Question

Never ask a woman a question that could be answered "No", unless that is the answer you want. So don't ask her "Could I have your number?" ask her "What is the best number to contact you on?"

Top Dating Tip - Always Use Her Name

When talking to her, use her name constantly. Women love to hear their own names and it shows that you value and appreciate her. Also, if you meet anyone that you know, introduce her immediately and confidently. It is very important to show her that she is important to you.

Top Dating Tip - Choose The Right Venue

Don't take her to a movie, a show or a club on a first date. You want to be able to talk to her and have loads of fun at the same time. Choose an activity that she enjoys and make it fun. Consider choosing something totally outrageous that she has never done before.

Leave time afterwards to have something to eat so that you can talk about all the fun that you had. Don't try and impress her by taking her out to an expensive restaurant on your first date. This causes tension when you want her to relax and simply enjoy your company.

Top Dating Tip - First Mover Advantage

Making the first move is always difficult, especially the first kiss. Get her in the right frame of mind right from the beginning. When you fetch her to go on your first date or meet her there, walk straight up to her, take both her hands in yours, say "Hi, your're looking beautiful (use her name)" and then kiss her on both cheeks and smile while looking her in the eyes. This move gives you several points of advantage.

Firstly, it shows that you are confident and in control - they love that in a man. You are a man of action and will get what you want. Secondly, by holding her hands, looking into her eyes and kissing her, you have signalled your intentions. You are here as a potential lover, not as a friend to talk about her problems.

Thirdly, you have removed a lot of the tension from stage 5 of the seduction process. She will probably happily hold hands, hug and respond positively to your real first kiss at a later stage. Remember to always stay confident and in control.

Top Dating Tip - Its A Date, Not An Interview

Remember it's a date and you're meant to be having fun, so don't give her the third degree. "Where do you work?" and "What do you do?" are reserved for job interviews. If you are smart and ask good open ended questions, she will tell you what you need to know anyway. Think up some fun things to talk about that will reveal an interesting part of your life or personality. Most importantly, make sure she is having fun and that you are not putting her under pressure.

Top Dating Tip - Don't Discuss Ex-lovers Or Past Relationships

Don't discuss past relationships, even if you happen to know the person concerned. If she starts talking about her ex, tell her that it's history and talk about something else. If she does it again, put her in her place politely, but firmly.

Top Dating Tip - Don't Try To Have Sex On Your First Date

Trying to have sex on your first date is a fatal mistake, unless she attacks you. This may sound like the craziest tip that you have ever heard, but guys have an amazing ability to hear or interpret what women say into what we want to hear. You could well be decoding everything she says to be what you want to hear and not what she is actually saying. You do presumably want to see her again? So be patient and you'll get what you want. Obviously, if she attacks you, don't resist.

Come along to a Fast Match Speed Dating event near you. For more information visit our NEXT EVENTS page