First Dates Are Important, But Here’s How To Nail The Second One

First Dates Are Important, But Here’s How To Nail The Second One ©iStock/pixdeluxe

If you’re looking for advice on your first date with a new guy, you can find that anywhere, and for good reason! After all, the first date is all about the first impression. You want to say enough about yourself without going overboard or getting too personal. You want to be charming and personable, all while being authentically you. Needless to say, it’s super nerve-racking.

But what about the second date? By now, you’re either starting to have some serious feelings for this dude, or you’re still trying to figure out if he’s right for you. You also want to put your best face forward and get a little deeper. Before you step out the door, check out these tips to nail that second date.

  1. Chill out. It makes sense if you’re nervous for a first date. After all, you have no idea if he’ll like you–or if you’ll like him. But let that stress go for the second date. He already agreed to go out with you again. Don’t worry, he likes you.
  2. Skip the dinner or coffee shop. First dates often feel like interviews, especially when you’re peppering the conversation with stock questions from across a table. Make the second date more natural by skipping the obvious choices and going for something more fun. Dance lessons, tasting local foods at an outdoor event, going apple-picking or trivia night at the local bar will do the trick.
  3. Address your burning questions. In between your fun activities, ask him any questions you have left over from your first date. If you’re still wondering about something days later, it’s time to get the answer.
  4. Delve a little deeper. While you’re getting to know each other better, steer the conversation into deeper territory. Not serious (don’t grill him about his ex!), but deeper. Ask him about his favorite memories or about what he did in the summer when he was a kid. Ask him what he was like in high school or if he ever broke any bones. Don’t be afraid to offer up your own deeper history as well.
  5. Keep it light and fun. First dates can feel so serious. Show your fun and laid-back side on the second date, but make sure you’re being authentic. If you normally dread fishing for trout, don’t go that route and fake your way to success. That’s just trouble waiting to happen.
  6. Show more physical affection. You both like each other–you can officially touch him now. If you’re walking through a scary haunted house, hold onto his arm the whole way through. Lean against his shoulder as you watch stand-up at your local open mic night. Affection brings you closer in more ways than one and can clue you on how you really feel for him.
  7. Divulge how you feel. If at the end of the date, you can’t wait to talk to him again, tell him so. “I had such great time, and I’d love to do it again,” can go a long way. On the other side of that, if you were on the fence and have decided you’re just not attracted to him, don’t lie and say you should hang out again. It never feels good to be led-on.
Trisha is a full time writer living in Montana. In her free time, she paints mountainscapes on her skin with body paint and reads a ton of YA lit.
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