Whether it’s your first experience with online dating or you’ve spent years trying to start a relationship online, you can benefit from some simple conversation skills. With the right approach, you can make just about any conversation something meaningful and valuable. We can’t promise you true love, but we can promise a bit of improvement. Check out these online dating conversation tips from Meet Hong Kong Singles.
What NOT to Do during Online Dating Conversations
If at all possible, avoid yes or no questions. These are instant conversation killers because they don’t leave room for extended discussion. Instead of asking “Do you like horror movies?”, ask “what type of movies do you like to watch and why?” The secondary phrasing opens the possibility for additional questions later on. Check out these Conversation Starters for Online Dating for more information.
If you’re dating someone from a conservative background, it would be wise to avoid any questions of a sexual nature. This could be considered invasive, forceful, or downright rude. You may eventually progress to that point in your relationship, but be respectful of the other person’s boundaries.
Avoid talking exclusively about yourself. Engage with the other person and take an active interest in their interests. What do they do for work? What are their career goals? What is their relationship like with their family? What are their favorite hobbies? If you show them that they have value, they’ll be more included to inquire about your value.
How to Keep a Conversation Going Online
The best way to keep a conversation going is to ask questions that spark long answers. Ask about memories from the past, passions, goals, or anything that will get the other person talking.
When you’re asked a question in return, provide more than a yes or no answer. If the person asks a question with a straightforward answer, pretend that they followed it up with “and why?” Explain why you feel the way you feel about XYZ. This will create a back-and-forth flow of conversation.
What to Do When a Conversation Goes Stale
Awkward silence is just as painful online as it is in person. The good news is, you have a little more time to prepare when you’re talking online.
A simple way to respark the conversation is to tell a story from your day. It could be something mundane and insignificant. It doesn’t have to be exciting. If this forms into a full relationship, you’ll spend a great deal of time sharing your boring day-to-day life with that person. This could be a quick way to reconnect and ask about their day in return.
Knowing When to Stop the Conversation
It can be difficult to decide when to stop a conversation or try to keep it going. If you feel like you’re the only person putting effort into the conversation, it’s probably time to call it quits. You could wait a couple days to see if the other person initiates contact. If so, give it one more try. If not, move on.
You should also stop the conversation if you feel uncomfortable or feel like you may soon become uncomfortable. Have you set clear boundaries? Have they crossed those boundaries or gotten close to grossing them? That’s a sign of disrespect. You deserve better than that.
When Should an Online Conversation Turn into In-Person Dating?
The transition from online dating to in-person dating will vary from person to person. If you live in the same area, we recommend meeting as soon as you feel comfortable. This will give you a feel for the type of chemistry you have in person, which can’t fully be replicated online.
If you live a decent distance away and meeting in person would require a lot of planning, it may be best to wait until you feel pretty confident about the relationship. Does this feel like it could turn into a forever relationship? Could you envision a future with this person? Wait until you can justify the effort it will take, and you feel like the other person reciprocates your feelings.
Create an Online Dating Profile to Speak with Like-Minded Singles
These online dating conversation tips don’t matter much if you don’t have a profile! This is the first step in meeting other singles and connecting with potential partners. No worries – we’re here to help. We compiled tons of Tips for Setting up an Online Dating Profile so you can start this chapter of your life. Create a profile here at Meet Hong Kong Singles and start making valuable connections online. We can’t wait to see what the future holds for you!