We spend a lot of time trying to read between the lines.

Did they really mean it?

Were they just being polite?

What was that tone?

Part 4 was about practicing deeper conversations, this one’s about keeping the momentum going.

So you’ve made it past the small talk. Now what?

“Hi, how’s your day?”
“How’s your weekend going?”
“What are your plans for this weekend?”

They’re all polite, familiar, and easy to ask, but they usually end the same way.

So, you’ve got the right mindset. Now where do you actually meet people?

When people ask me where to meet someone, the assumption is usually that the right location is the missing piece.

One minute you’re planning your weekend together, the next you’re dissecting text messages like a detective looking for clues to answer: What went wrong? What did I miss? Could this have gone differently?

Sometimes, life just happens to us. You hop in your car, maybe put the GPS on, and before you know it, you’re pulling into your parking spot without remembering a single turn you took.

It’s nice to smile and have someone smile back. For no reason other than we’re two strangers doing the same thing and acknowledging each other’s existence for a second.

Dating involves a series of decisions. Some are minor and straightforward, others are complicated and emotion-laden.

Your dating profile has limited space — don’t waste it on “good vibes only” or “love to travel.”

Are they flirting, too? Or are they just being friendly? Nice? Polite?