First Meeting Tips: What to Talk About (and What to Avoid)

The first meeting with a prospective partner can feel nerve-wracking. Treat it as a friendly conversation to get to know each other, not an interview, and it becomes far easier.

Good things to talk about

• Daily life, work, and what a typical week looks like
• Family, values, and traditions that matter to you
• Interests, hobbies, and how you like to relax
• Hopes for the future — home, career, and family

What to avoid on the first meeting

• Interrogating about salary or past relationships
• Comparing them to others
• Rushing to conclusions after one conversation

Keep it comfortable

Meet in a relaxed public place, keep the first meeting short, and be yourself. It is perfectly fine to say you would like to talk again before deciding anything.

The goal of a first meeting is not to decide everything — it is to decide whether you want a second conversation.