Avoid Awkward Topics on First Meeting
This week a story broke out that shocked dating culture. It starts off as your typical boy meets girl, girl gets free drink from boy story. But this time there is no happily ever after hook up.
So this jus happened pic.twitter.com/rm4weoTXUQ
— Abby (@abbyfent17) September 8, 2016
An 18-year old British college student named Abby Fenton got a text from a boy named “Liam” she had met at a bar a few weeks earlier. Usually you would think he texted her to hook up and get to know her, but instead this text revolved around money. He straight up asked Fento to pay him back £6.50 (about US$9) for the drink he bought her weeks ago. Is that bold or down right rude?
In my opinion, you can’t force someone to buy you a drink for you, thus making it a gift. And I am sorry, but in this case it is punch buggy no punch back. I would have ignored Liam’s text completely, but instead Fenton decided to spice things up and make this conversation go viral. In the end, she paid him back.
Should I have paid back the £6.50
— Abby (@abbyfent17) September 8, 2016
There are things you just don’t talk about when you barely know someone. Money is definitely one of them. Here are a few other things to avoid when interacting with someone new:
Politics
Do not talk politics. I repeat, do not talk politics. Unless you somehow weirdly find political talk sexy, avoid it. With the presidential race being as crazy as it is now, you will end up bashing heads with someone and not click at the bar. Keep the conversation light and fun instead.
Religion
Similar to politics, religion is a taboo subject to talk about when meeting someone at a bar. It is too serious. Just try to get to know the person and avoid stereotyping them because of their beliefs. If you are heavily religious, it may be hard to avoid, but keep in mind that you are just getting to know someone for the night and not analyzing if you are perfectly compatible for marriage.
The ex
Your past can very much be credited to who you are now. But that doesn’t mean you have to be an open book on day one. If you focus on talking about your ex first thing when you meet someone new, they will most likely get the vibe that you aren’t over the whole situation. So hold off on talking about past relationships until things actually get serious and not at the bar.
When you first meet someone you should keep it fun and playful. As you get to know them better, you can get a bit more serious and share depth. But asking to be paid back for a drink that was a gift is just dumb. Don’t come across as a super cheap person because that is so not attractive and just embarrassing.
Born and raised in Northern Virginia, Christina aspires to be a public relations professional in a big city after graduation from James Madison University. In her free time when she’s not blogging away about dating and relationships, Christina loves to go shopping, watch Netflix and play with every puppy that crosses her path.
