What to Talk About on a First Date with a Foreign Lady

A woman smiling at a man

Sometimes, knowing what to talk about on a first date can help make sure you and your special lady will have a great time.

Dating in general is challenging enough without the added pressure of getting to know someone from another country.

It can be even more complicated when there are language barriers and cultural differences to take into account. You also have to factor in their upbringing and frames of reference for many important things about life and relationships.

But if you do your homework to get a sense of what to try and what to avoid, international dating can be a fulfilling experience that will bring you one step closer to the love of your life. You just need to figure out where to start.

Most of the time, it begins with knowing what to talk about on a first date.

Choosing Topics to Talk about with a Girl

To be acquainted with each other is often the goal when you’re introduced to someone, so a lot of people end up just talking on the first date.

However, this also means it’s crucial for you to have an idea of what the best topics are when you want to get a woman to open up about herself. These instances can make a big impression and determine both of your expectations for each other, so you have to make it count.

Sometimes, it also matters how you initially came together. Choosing conversation topics with an old acquaintance or the friend of a friend will not always be the same as when you’re deciding what to talk about on a first date with someone you met online.

If you already have some kind of relationship, it can be easy to build a rapport and get the ball rolling.

But if the woman you’re on a date with is a virtual stranger, and you’re not sure if you have anything in common, then talking to her can be difficult.

If she’s a foreign lady who speaks a different language or lives on the other side of the world, it can feel almost impossible to connect with each other.

The Best First Date Subjects

It may be challenging, but there are great topics that you can consider when picking what to talk about on a first date with a foreign woman.

Most of them work even with someone from the same country as you, so you just have to put a little spin to it and really understand how to utilize your conversation to achieve your dating goals.

Each other’s hobbies and favorite things

It’s always nice to start with topics that elicit positive emotions. What better subject to discuss than the things you love doing that bring you so much joy?

No matter where they’re from, most women have preferred pastimes and other favorites that they love talking about with other people. If you get a foreign lady to open up about her hobbies, you can also discover whether or not you have shared interests that can serve as the foundation of your future bond.

Your cultural differences (and similarities)

It may not seem like an obvious option at first, but talking about your cultural differences can also be a great idea for a first date.

You have to be extra careful and sensitive so you don’t commit a taboo, but doing this with a foreign date can help you two set the right expectations and even break the ice. You won’t need to skirt around the issue if you immediately acknowledge your differences without turning them into a big deal.

In fact, you can use this opportunity to clear up misunderstandings, have a good laugh, and start being at ease in each other’s company

You also don’t have to limit yourselves to just your differences. You can try finding things that both your cultures have as a way to bond and learn more about each other’s backgrounds.

Who knows? The things you come to learn may just be useful if you do end up together.

What you’re looking for in a relationship

Another topic that a lot of people eventually pick after thinking of what to talk about on a first date is the other person’s opinion on love.

This is usually a hit or miss, since some consider it too personal of a subject. But if broached properly, you can have a meaningful conversation that can be important if you’re both looking for a serious relationship.

Asking your foreign date what she wants in a partner and in a relationship even as early as your first date can help you make sure you start on the same page. It can save you both a lot of time and pave the way for the kind of commitment you both may be looking for.

A man and a woman having coffee together

Wit, good humor, and genuine interest are keys to asking great first date questions.

Questions to Ask on a First Date

A good conversation often starts with a good question.

Based on the ideal topics outlined in this article, below are some first date questions that you can consider asking your foreign lady when you finally meet her:

  • What’s the best part of your day?

  • What do you do for fun?

  • Who is your favorite person in the world?

  • Do you have any pets? How did you choose their names?

  • How would you describe your country to other people?

  • What’s something about your hometown that you want everyone to know?

  • What are your favorite travel destinations?

  • Which country do you want to visit next?

  • Are you looking for a casual relationship or a serious commitment?

  • When do you know you’re in love with someone?

  • Do you have an ideal partner?

Just make sure you’re sincere about your questions and that you’re also willing to indulge her when she starts getting interested in your own answers.

First Date Topics to Avoid

Just as important as knowing what to talk about on a first date is being aware of what topics you’re better off avoiding.

Controversial issues

Steering clear of divisive topics like politics, religion, and money is usually a good idea when you’re on a first date.

It’s okay to take an interest in the quirky customs of each other’s country or fun facts about the language barriers between the two of you. But if you choose a subject that might lead to a heated debate, your conversation may just turn into a fight, and nobody wants that.

So to stay on the safe side, you can leave controversial issues for future dates where the goal is to see just how compatible you two are for a long-term commitment.

Intimate and deeply personal topics

While it can be fun to flirt with each other and see how far you can get, conversations about sensual topics may not be appropriate for a first date.

You also need to be extra careful when talking to a woman whose background can be more conservative or traditional than yours. Otherwise, you risk putting her off by coming across as too presumptuous.

Your exes

Often at the top of the list when it comes to things you shouldn’t casually ask your date is who her exes are or why she broke up with them.

It may be tempting to talk about whether or not she’s dated outside her country in the past or if she’s been with someone like you before, but if the breakup was traumatic, you can trigger a reaction that will just end up ruining your night together.

After all, would you want to talk about a past lover if you have a beautiful woman sitting in front of you?

It Doesn’t Have to Be Perfect

Yes, it’s nice to be prepared in terms of what to talk about on a first date, especially with a foreign woman, but you also shouldn’t be too hard on yourself.

More than knowing exactly what to say at exactly the right time, your sincerity and genuine desire to connect with her is what will matter most.

Besides, a little spontaneity every now and then never hurt anybody. You’ll be surprised at some of the best turns a great first date can take if you let the magic of the moment lead the way.