Dating: How to Get Back in the Market

Everyone knows dating can be brutal. Minutes can seem like hours as conversations run dry or someone gabs the night away about topics you don't care about. There are a couple of good ways to test drive a date before saying yes though- even if it's a blind date.

Try a phone conversation first. Surprisingly, you can learn a lot from someone over the phone. It may not tell you how they look, but in less than two minutes you will know why they are going out on the date and you'll have a little bit of background to prepare for what lies ahead.

Give online dating a try. From blogs to dating set-ups like eHarmony and matchmaker.com, the Internet has now become a threshold of singles searching for love. Here, you can type the night away, getting to know people as friends and setting up dates when comfortable.

Make the first date, even the first couple of dates, group dates with at least one other couple. That way you will be able to talk to your date while laughing with others, easing the tension and removing the stress of one on one conversation.

But with all this dating, what can you talk about? Before you go out you need to think about your passions and interests because that is what needs to come up in conversation. If your date does not share common ground, the relationship is doomed.

Here are a few basic questions that you can use to get your date to open up as the night goes on. Be prepared with stories and answers of your own and have fun! Dates are still supposed to be entertaining, so lighten up and enjoy the night!

How long have you lived here? (If they have lived in other countries/ places of interest, ask them to talk about them- How does your town rank compared to theirs? What brought them here?)

Stop in the middle of looking at your menu and ask, "Do you cook?" If you're lucky next time you'll be sitting at a candlelight dinner instead of the average restaurant.

For the ladies, fidget with the top of your dress/shirt. Whether it is V-neck or scoop he is going to have to fight from staring. Then ask, "I just bought this from Dillards, do you think it was a good choice?" He is definitely going to be staring now, and depending on where you left it you may have to wipe his mouth.

What's the most expensive item you ever bought? This is a pretty interesting question, because for many people it's not for themselves. It's college loans they're paying off for their kids, china for a friend's wedding or a rodeo belt buckle for their grandfather's birthday. After learning that, then ask what they bought for themselves.

Last but not least, favorites. Favorites can give you a good look at someone because they undoubtedly play a part in who they are. If your date's favorite store only sells wranglers and cowboy hats, you know you must have met him on an off day in khakis and a polo.

Good luck! Remember, your date is just as nervous as you are, so take a deep breath (and a drink if you need it) and get out there!