CNBC.COM
American singles are hoping to meet their matches in person this year, according to a recent DatingNews.com survey of 1,000 U.S. adults.
Sixty-five percent say they are looking for romance in real life, with 48% hoping to meet someone through friends or coworkers, 31% through dating or singles mixers and 24% through internet-based or lifestyle events.
That makes sense, says Natassia Miller, relationship expert and founder of sexual wellness company Wonderlust. "When you meet someone in person, you get to gauge a level of chemistry and energy that you wouldn't otherwise when you're on the apps."
Here are a few questions Miller recommends asking potential partners when you meet them.
'What you're really trying to gauge is, do you like this person at all?'
"The first time that you meet someone, you should really just try to get to know them as someone who would be a friend rather than an actual romantic interest," says Miller. "What you're really trying to gauge is, do you like this person at all?"
Big picture, you'll want to learn how they carry themselves, what lights them up and what their lifestyle is like, Miller says.
Try asking the following:
- What brought you here?
- What sparks your curiosity about this event?
- Who are the kinds of people that you like to surround yourself with?
- What are your hobbies?
- What do you spend most of your time thinking about?
The point is to see if you like being around this person enough to see them again. Then you can start to suss out any romantic potential.
And during your conversation, make sure you aren't the only one asking questions.
"When you are with someone who is curious and who asks questions and is genuinely interested and listens," says Miller, "that really establishes a strong foundation for a healthy relationship."
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