Communicate It!
You are on a date with someone for the first time. What is a good question you could ask to get to know them?
Examples: "What do you like to do for fun?" or "What are some of your favorite hobbies?"
Mary is talking to someone she likes. The person smiles while she is talking, makes eye contact, and asks her questions about herself.
What could this person be communicating through this kind of behavior?
They might be interested in getting to know Sarah or that they enjoy talking to her
You have a date planned for Friday night. Name three things you should figure out before the date so you're prepared.
Know the time and location, plan transportation, check the cost, and decide what you may need to bring.
You keep reaching out to touch your date, and they keep pulling away. What might they be communicating through their body language?
They might be uncomfortable with physical touch in general or early into dating. You should pay attention to their body language and stop touching them or ask them if they are uncomfortable with physical affection.
Your date tells you that they love watching movies. What could you say or ask to keep the conversation going?
"What's your favorite movie?" or "What kind of movies do you like?"
John asks a girl on a date. She says, “I appreciate you asking, but I’m not interested in dating right now.”
How might John feel, and how should he respond?
John might feel disappointed, but he should respect her answer and not pressure her
You planned to go to an outdoor concert with someone you're dating, but it starts raining and the concert is canceled. Your date is disappointed. What could you do to adjust your plans while considering both people's preferences?
Acknowledge the disappointment, suggest alternative activities such as getting dinner or watching a movie, and ask what your date would prefer.
Your date says, "I could talk to you all day!" Do they literally mean they want to talk for 24 hours?
No! They are expressing that they really enjoy talking with you.
You are excited about your favorite video game and have been talking about it for several minutes. Your date has not had a chance to talk. What should you do?
Pause and give your date a chance to speak. You could ask, "What do you like to do?"
Erica is texting someone she likes. She sends several messages, but the person does not respond for a few hours. She is upset and feels ignored.
What are two possible reasons the person she is texting is not responding?
They are busy doing something / They are having a bad day
Think about your week..... You have a big exam on Monday, plans with friends on Saturday, and someone you're dating wants to spend the entire Sunday together. You want to do all three, but you still need several hours to study. How could you manage these competing responsibilities?
Identify priorities, estimate how much study time you need, create a realistic schedule, and communicate your availability. You could suggest a shorter Sunday date or another day without ignoring your responsibilities.
Question: You and your date get caught in the rain. Your date looks outside and says, "Well, this is just perfect!" in a sarcastic tone. What do they really mean?
They probably mean the situation is frustrating or inconvenient, not that they actually enjoy getting caught in the rain.
You are talking to your date, but they keep looking at their phone and giving short answers. What could this mean, and what could you do?
They might be distracted, tired, or not interested in continuing the conversation. You could ask, "Is everything okay?" or suggest meeting up another time.
Jason is on a date with a girl. He wants to hold her hand, but she keeps moving her hand away and changing the subject.
What might her behavior mean, what should Jason do?
She may feel uncomfortable holding hands, so Jason should respect her space and stop trying without making sure she is comfortable
You made plans to go on a date Saturday evening, but you forgot that you already agreed to help a friend with something important at the same time. Both people are counting on you. How would you handle this situation while respecting everyone's time and feelings?
Recognize the scheduling conflict, consider which commitment was made first and whether either can be adjusted, and communicate with both people as soon as possible. Take responsibility for the mistake, apologize if needed, and work toward a solution without making promises you cannot keep.
Question: You ask your date, "Would you like to go out again sometime?" They respond, "Maybe! I'll have to see how my schedule looks." What are two possible meanings of their response?
They might genuinely be busy and need to check their schedule, or they might be unsure about going on another date. You shouldn't assume either one without more information.
You ask your date a question, but there is an awkward silence. Neither of you knows what to say next. What could you do to keep the conversation going?
Ask another friendly question, share something about yourself
Taylor and Morgan are having an argument. Taylor wants to talk about the problem immediately, but Morgan is quiet and asks for time to calm down. Taylor feels ignored
How could the two be viewing the situation differently? How could they resolve the problem in a healthy way?
Taylor wants to talk and immediately resolve the situation, and Morgan wants to process the conversation before responding. They could both agree to take a break from talking and come back to the conversation later.
You've been dating someone for a few weeks. You planned a special dinner for their birthday, but the restaurant lost your reservation. Your date is upset, you feel stressed, and nearby restaurants are crowded. Walk through how you would handle this situation while managing your emotions, solving the problem, and communicating with your date.
First, recognize and manage your frustration. Explain the situation calmly, acknowledge your date's disappointment, and brainstorm alternatives together. Consider available restaurants, wait times, transportation, and preferences. Agree on a new plan and adapt if needed.
Question: You are on a date, and your date says, "I really appreciate you asking, but I think I'd rather just be friends." What are they communicating without directly saying it?
They are politely communicating that they are not interested in a romantic relationship but would prefer a friendship.