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TOP FIVE
Techniques to Avoid Awkward Silence
He asked, "Do you like to drive?" and I knew it was gonna be a bad date. Avoid falling into the footsteps of the haplessly un-datable soul who would ask this question, and follow these tips and be the successful version of McLovin.’
1. The Sustainability Plan
Food fuels your body, now let it fuel your conversation. When the sangria arrives, ask your potential man if he has ever taken a bartending class. When the ceviche arrives, ask if likes to cook at home. Trust me. I’ve studied abroad in France, where food takes up at least 50 percent of conversation à la table, whether you’ve known the person for five minutes or five years. Since it stimulates more than one sense, food is a reliable way to generate – and maintain – conversation.
2. Be a Journalist
You’ve gotta whip out the five Ws. Pretend you’re writing a feature on him and delve into his background. Who knows? Maybe this dude was a diving champion in college or moonlights as a mime. Sure, you might sound like a creeper if you ask what heritage he is or where his parents live, but at least you’re not asking him questions that can’t be answered.
3. Get Your Fingers Black
Pick up the newspaper! I’m not suggesting you become Mr. or Mrs. Know-It-All, but it does help if you skim the headlines beforehand and pick out a couple backup conversation topics. Bringing up that recent 6.2 earthquake in Kyushu, Japan can shake up your story about being in an earthquake at the age of six. Perhaps he can relate with his own childhood memory of being sucked into a cyclone.
4. Creativity Is in the Void
Open-ended questions on your AP U.S. History exam made you want to run out the door and never come back. But in the dating world, open-ended questions can indicate whether or not you should come back for more. So ask him, "If you were a movie character, who would you be?" If he answers an out-of-the-blue question like this with ease, you know he’s probably worth a second date. Just be ready for the open-ended Q to be turned back on you!
5. Doggie Bag Gag
A lull in conversation isn’t funny, but a prank is! Example: when you only have a few grains of rice left on your dinner plate, ask the server to make you a doggie bag. I’ve always used this technique to test my date’s personality. Release your inner Andy Samberg and see whether the flame is there or not.
And for those of you who are living the single life, enjoy the fact that you don't have endure suitors like these, with whom awkward silences are absolutely unavoidable.
By Kathleen Flaherty. Kathleen is a rising senior at Northwestern University.
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