{"id":17211,"date":"2018-08-15T14:00:19","date_gmt":"2018-08-15T21:00:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/datemixstaging.wpengine.com\/?p=17211"},"modified":"2021-05-31T11:11:41","modified_gmt":"2021-05-31T18:11:41","slug":"first-date-bingo","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.zoosk.com\/date-mix\/dating-advice\/first-date-tips\/first-date-bingo\/","title":{"rendered":"First Date Bingo: 25 Squares and What They Mean"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Clear your card and get ready for the first round of dating bingo, the game where you win when you\u2019ve seen it all. If you\u2019ve had one of these things said or done to you on a first date, put a marker on the corresponding square. If you make a bingo line across, well, good for you\u2014you\u2019re probably pretty popular in the dating world. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Learn more about each of the squares\u2014what they mean and what to do about it:<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Sorry I\u2019m late.
\n<\/b>This one might as well be a free space. Sometimes it\u2019s five minutes and others it\u2019s 50. Excuses range from \u201cI missed my bus\u201d to \u201cmy dog ate my homework.\u201d If you\u2019ve been on at least a handful of first dates you\u2019ve probably heard this one and maybe even wondered if your date was going to show up. Whether it\u2019s an actual mistake or plain inconsideration, is up to you.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Nice to meet you.
\n<\/b>The standard greeting in business meetings and on first dates. People usually say it as a positive affirmation, hoping the words will make it true. Just kidding. It\u2019s a perfectly alright way to say hello, although putting your personal spin on it never hurts either.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. So what do you do?
\n<\/b>The job question. In the world of internet dating, you probably have an idea of what each other does, but this question always pops up. Think about it as sort of a formality. First dates have an uncanny similarity to job interviews, so don\u2019t be surprised when your work history becomes a topic of conversation. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. Where are you from?
\n<\/b>Even if you told your date beforehand that you were born in the coffee shop that you\u2019re meeting in, prepare to reanswer in person. This is just standard small talk to get you and your date feeling a bit more comfortable.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. What do you do for fun?
\n<\/b>This is still in the small talk category, but bit more fun because, well, just read the question. This is sort of where the actual \u201cgetting to know each other\u201d starts. Passions can say a lot about a person. Prepare for dissertations on everything from ballet to collecting bugs. Yep, this one can be pretty revealing, indeed. Not a bad question to keep in your own back pocket.  <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

6. Fidgeting.
\n<\/b>The leg shake. Finger drumming. No these aren\u2019t the latest millennial dance crazes. These are not so subtle hints that someone is a little nervous. Being nervous is perfectly OK on a first date. If you\u2019re nervous, it\u2019s best to be up front about it. Being straight up about butterflies is not only endearing, but also one of the best ways to cure nervousness. Also, wherever possible: nix the fidgeting.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

7. Have you been here before?
\n<\/b>Just more small talk. Often there are a few jumpy minutes at the beginning of the date and small talk is a way to pass the time and get comfortable. Or maybe they\u2019ve noticed your friendliness with the bartender and suspect something is up. Pro Tip: Don\u2019t always take your first dates to the same spot. They can tell.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

8. How long have you lived here?
\n<\/b>Three years. A long time. Two weeks. This one is all about getting to know your backstory. Did you move far away for adventure or did you stay close because of family? This question is an example of small talk that helps to get the conversation started. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

9. Awkward silence.
\n<\/b>It\u2019s the thing daters dread the most. No, it\u2019s not a myth. Yes, it is uncomfortable for everyone, even the people around you. If this isn\u2019t hard proof of a lack of chemistry, it\u2019s certainly a big bold-colored sign.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

10. That\u2019s interesting.
\n<\/b>As in, that\u2019s not interesting, but I appreciate you sharing that with me. Alternatively, I don\u2019t really want to expend the energy to respond to that or I wasn\u2019t really listening. Just like the word \u201cinteresting\u201d itself, you decide the meaning. Good luck.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

11. Nervous giggle.
\n<\/b>This one is the friendly younger cousin of the awkward silence. The nervous giggle can be a way to break what would otherwise be an uncomfortable pause or it can be a sign of attraction. A lot of people giggle like this when they\u2019re ready to open up.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

12. Well, that was fun.
\n<\/b>If someone says this to you, it means that they\u2019re interested in a second date. It went well. This usually leaves it up to you if you want to return the sentiment.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

13. Wanna go somewhere quiet?
\n<\/b>If someone says this to you, they probably want to get to know you more, um\u2026 intimately. There is absolutely nothing wrong with sleeping with someone on the first date. Just make sure you feel safe and into it. The ball is in your court now.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

14. Can I walk you home?
\n<\/b>Sort of like the last one, this is a subtle\/not-so-subtle way of seeing if the other party had a good time and wants to get intimate. Usually the implication here is kissing, so lower stakes here than \u201csomewhere quiet.\u201d The question also has a bit of an old-fashioned romance feel to it. Also note that you <\/span>can<\/span><\/i> say no to someone you\u2019re attracted to. No shame in communicating to your date that you like them, but things are moving a bit too quickly.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

15. We should do this again soon.
\n<\/b>Read: Are you interested in going on a second date? If you had a good time yourself, then the obvious answer is yes, let\u2019s do that. If the answer is no, it\u2019s time to get a little honest.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

16. Can I kiss you?
\n<\/b>A little forward, but it\u2019s good to have consent up front. As above, there is nothing wrong with kissing somebody on the first date, even kissing every first date, so long as you\u2019re comfortable. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

17. Eye roll.
\n<\/b>Political disagreement? Another joke about their biceps? They don\u2019t like avocado? Uh-oh. Eye rolls are usually a sign not only of disagreement but also of a lack of respect. There is a good chance you\u2019re pretty different if you get this on a first date. Abort, abort, abort.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

18. Oh yeah?
\n<\/b>Maybe you guys don\u2019t have the same interests or hobbies, but they\u2019re taking an interest. The \u201coh yeah\u201d is a great way to stay engaged in a first date conversation and let the person know that you\u2019re listening, even if they\u2019re not an expert in the topic of conversation. Active listening is a great sign of someone attentive and respectful. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

19. You look great.
\n<\/b>A nice compliment, but it usually sexualizes the mood as soon as the words are said. This is probably a signal that the other person is looking to get physical at the end of the date. What you do is totally up to you. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

20. Sweating.
\n<\/b>First date nervousness is common and often unnoticeable, unless they\u2019re sweating profusely. There\u2019s nothing to be done about nervous sweating, but it\u2019s hard to deny that it\u2019s not the best look. Offer them a napkin?<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

21. Excuse me, I have to pee.
\n<\/b>There are probably better ways to say it, but hey it\u2019s 2018. This can be an actual bathroom break or an excuse to go to the bathroom and give friends a text update on the date. Maybe you should text your friends\u2014I mean pee\u2014too.   <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

22. Want to come up for a drink?
\n<\/b>This is a pretty direct proposition. If you go up for that \u201cdrink,\u201d you\u2019re probably not coming down till the morning. Even if you like someone, there\u2019s no harm in saying no to the first invitation. On the other hand, if you\u2019re ready and willing, live your best life.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

23. Reaches for gum.
\n<\/b>Sometimes this is a self-conscious tick, but usually it means your date is thinking about a kiss. Depending on how you\u2019re feeling about date number one, maybe you should ask for a piece yourself.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

24. Sorry, I have to go.
\n<\/b>A definite cop out. This is shorthand for \u201cthis is really not going well, but I don\u2019t have the courage to say that so bye.\u201d If somebody felt they couldn\u2019t be honest about leaving, you might want to take a moment and figure out what caused their discomfort. Or maybe they really had to go. Probably best not to contact them after this encounter.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

25. I\u2019ll see you later
\n<\/b>This one usually means: \u201cThis was fun, but I don\u2019t think it\u2019s going to work out.\u201d Time to tap out. It\u2019s okay. They probably weren\u2019t right for you anyway. Feel free to stick around the bar after they\u2019ve left for another drink, as needed.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

That\u2019s it! If you got bingo then you\u2019ve probably seen the some of the worst of first dates. After all that, you\u2019re still alive and here. You lived to date another day.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Are you ready to play?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":162,"featured_media":17213,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[884,899,892],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-17211","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-dating-advice","category-single-life","category-first-date-tips"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nFirst Date Bingo: 25 Squares and What They Mean<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"If you\u2019ve had one of these things said or done to you on a first date, put a marker on the corresponding square.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.zoosk.com\/date-mix\/dating-advice\/first-date-tips\/first-date-bingo\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta 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