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Dating is a process of getting to know another person who might be a potential life partner (or maybe just a great friend) in the making. It begins with great promise and hopefully ends with an invitation to a second date.
It's a good date, when:
1. The conversation is very easy going and both of you enjoy telling and listening to each other's stories.
2. You are both having fun and enjoy each other's company. There is humor in your conversation and never a dull moment.
3. You easily focus on your date and you don't get easily distracted by your smartphones or gadgets.
4. You welcome a bit of flirtation from your date and your eyes radiates a smile. A touch on the hand, a brush on the arms begins the seed of your intimacy;
5. You wish the night will never end and when you say your goodbyes, you sincerely tell each other how much you enjoyed the evening and immediately agree on your next date.
It's definitely a bad one, if:
1. One of you hog the conversation and the other is cornered into boredom.
2. The conversation feels like a job interview with one asking questions and the other answering defensively.
3. There are awkward lapses in the conversation and you struggle to fill in with meaningless words.
4. You are not focused on your date and are distracted by others around you.
5. You wish you were somewhere else.
6. You don't return calls or messages for another date or fake a busy schedule.
But fear not. Dating is about getting to know each other. If it doesn't work out, don't beat yourself up over it. It's a first date, not a great loss. Remember that dating should only be for fun. So don't get overly anxious that you suffer ulcers, and don't be too overly casual that you become too blasé and your date feels unappreciated.