So, you’re here because you successfully passed the first dates! Congrats! You battled through those first-date nerves, and you made it through the entire date.
However, the second date can often feel like it has a lot more riding on it than the first. This is where you can really start to show more of yourself and create more of a connection.
Of course, you are going to want to get this right, especially if you want a serious relationship.
The good news is that you connected on the first date, and you had a great time; then a second date should be a breeze.
At Finding The One, we are here to help you find the perfect match, so here are some second-date tips to help you make sure that things go great.
Plan an Exciting Activity
A first date feels like it should be as risk-free as possible, meeting at a mutually agreed spot for a coffee or a drink where both of you can bail if it’s not going well.
But now that you’ve got over those first-date nerves, you can feel free to plan something a little more exciting.
When you’re on a first date, you will be spending a lot of time trying to read body language and asking the kind of getting-to-know-you questions that will give you a general idea of who they are. With a second date, you can have a little more fun!
Second Date Ideas
So, what makes for a great second date?
There are a lot of answers to this question, but it’s worth thinking about activities that will give you time to keep the conversation flowing while giving you a little more intimacy, connection, and depth.
- Cooking dinner together with ingredients you’ve both bought.
- Going to see a band that you both love.
- Heading out for a hike or a romantic walk.
- Taking them to your favourite bar or restaurant.
- Spending the afternoon at the beach or park with a picnic.
All of the above ideas will help you to keep things light while showing off a bit more of what you enjoy doing and the kind of places and activities that you love.
If making dinner together is too big a step for right now, taking them somewhere that means something special to you may be right.
Keep Asking Interesting Questions
The kind of questions that are asked on the first date tends to be quite superficial. There’s nothing wrong with that; it’s just part and parcel of meeting someone for the first time. With a second date, you can go a little deeper.
For example, instead of asking what they do, ask what they wanted to do when they were younger. Instead of asking where they like to go on vacation, ask what their favourite vacation memory is.
And if you’re feeling cheeky, ask why they wanted a second date with you!
Explore Each Other’s Interests
Part of getting to know someone is showing them what your interests are and finding out what theirs are in turn.
Your second date ideas can show them what you’re into in terms of music, entertainment, and activities. But you should look for ways that you can explore theirs too.
If you have chosen the second date activity, ask them what they would have chosen. Ask what other bands they like, what they do on the weekend with their spare time, and so on.
The more you learn about each other’s interests, the quicker you’ll see where the third date can go!
Pay Attention to Body Language
Body language is one of the best ways to tell whether a first date is going well or not, but it is just as important on a second date.
You may be showing off more of yourself than you did previously, and there are signs to watch out for to tell if it’s going well.
What to look out for…
- Maintaining good eye contact with you while you’re speaking.
- Smiling easily.
- Having a relaxed posture.
- A lack of fidgeting.
- Reciprocating small moments of physical contact.
The body language clues you may remember from the first date such as turning away from you or looking elsewhere during conversation still apply, but good body language signs should be more pronounced if a second date is going well.
Stay Respectful and Playful
The second date may feel like a big step forward, but both of you need to continue to respect each other’s boundaries. There are still a lot of lines that can be crossed without thinking, both physically and emotionally.
On the other hand, you should remember to keep it playful too. A second date should still feel spontaneous and have that feeling of discovery about it.
This is why ideas like going bowling or hitting a karaoke bar can be great for second dates because they are laid-back activities which stop things from losing that playful feeling.
Keep It Fun and Not Too Official
Following on from the point above, it is a good date rule that second dates should be fun above anything else. You have not made any major commitments to each other yet; you are seeing if you connect and if you want to go on a third date.
With that in mind, you should try to avoid anything that makes it feel too much like an official date.
For example, don’t invite someone to a wedding on a second date, or introduce them to your family. There will be plenty of time to get to that point if it all goes well.
For the moment, just have fun!
Final Thoughts: Second Date Tips As Told By Our Dating Experts
A second date can be just as intimidating as the first, but the important thing to remember is that it should still be fun and playful. This is a great opportunity for you both to get to know each other better and make sure you are connecting.
Try to think of activities that will give you a bit more time to keep the conversation going and to get a better feel of each other’s interests, likes and dislikes.
Look for body language signs that things are going well but remember to respect each other’s boundaries and stay respectful. Above all, have fun!
FAQs
What should happen on a second date?
A second date should be a chance for you to explore each other’s interests and personalities more deeply. You should better understand each other and have fun showing each other what you enjoy. For example, think about going to a gig or to one of your favourite spots to relax.
Should you kiss on the second date?
If everything is going well on a second date, then you should both feel more comfortable with signs of physical affection.
However, if the moment doesn’t feel right, there is no reason to force it. A kiss should happen because you both want it to and because it feels natural. If you’re kissing because you feel like you should or don’t want to let the other person down, that’s not a good sign.
What should you not do on a second date?
The main thing to avoid on a second date is activities that would make things too official or serious. Things like asking if they want to be a plus one at a wedding or coming around to a family Sunday dinner might send the wrong message and put too much pressure on things. Remember that it should be fun and light!
What does a second date mean to a guy?
A second date will mean many different things to many people, and it’s important not to make assumptions about what. A guy on a second date will be looking for confirmation that things are going well and that you both feel the same way about each other. He will feel more relaxed, so you will get a better sense of what he’s like.