Ken Solin, Senior Dating Expert for explains which questions are absolutely essential to ask on a first date.

• Online Dating Questions To Ask Before Meeting
• Best Sites To Ask Questions
• Questions To Ask Guys On Dating Sites

You'll save yourself heartbreak down the line.

• Jul 19, 2021 Over 60s Dating Sites. There are more and more dating sites for seniors. Even general dating sites like eharmony.com have sections for seniors. There are also interest-specific sites for just about everything you can imagine. Some sites are faith-based (keep those antennae on!), lifestyle based, (farmers, vegetarians, athletes).
• Dec 02, 2021 Move away from usual questions like “how old are you?” or “what do you do?” but refrain from asking to personal questions also. Asking the right questions will open up the possibility of having better and meaningful conversations and also bring you closer.
• Tags Senior Dating Advice. Angela Page is a writer and producer. Her recent release, “Suddenly Single Sylvia,” is a novella.

It may be hard to believe, but there are more effective ways of assessing the potential of a new relationship than blindly trusting Hinge’s “Most Compatible” match. I know, I know, shocking. But the truth is that getting to know your potential partner — beyond the small talk and social media stalking – requires more than an algorithm. Specifically, there are certain questions to ask when starting a relationship that can help both you and your partner see your connection more clearly. Not only that, but the answers to these questions can give you valuable insight into what your future might look like if you stay together.

According to experts, long-term relationship success often comes down to communicating your expectations — and addressing any areas where you are not completely aligned. “Knowing what you and your partner's expectations are when it comes to your relationship status, sex, intimacy, and future is the difference between making it and breaking it in a relationship,' relationship coaches Diana and Todd Mitchem told Bustle. 'When you are in a relationship, you should never assume that your partner wants exactly the same things that you do.”

There’s a simple way to ensure that this convo doesn’t feel like a never-ending interview: Keep things open-ended. “Open-ended questions allow the other person to express their true, authentic self, “ Courtney Tracy, LCSW, PsyD, therapist and relationship expert, told Women’s Health. “It’s a good way to get a sense of who the person really is,” she added.

Even if it does lead to the occasional awkward moment or disagreement, these discussions are worth any temporary tension. Getting these important questions out of the way early on can save you a lot of heartache down the road. For example, imagine you just moved in with your partner and they casually mention that you’ll need to cover all of the bills for the next month. They miscalculated and overspent their paycheck – it’s actually a bad habit they have. You’re shocked, having assumed they were a saver like you. It’s something you never even thought to ask.

If that sounds like a legitimate nightmare to you (same), the following 23 questions to ask when dating may be helpful in assessing your current status with your partner and your potential future — together or apart.

If you had to name your greatest motivation in life, what would it be?

Family? Money? Adventure?

How much alone time do you need?

And what are the signs that you’d like some space to recharge?

How often are you open with your feelings?

Honest communication is the foundation of a healthy relationship.

What’s your sense of humor like?

Do you make a lot of dad jokes?

What’s your zodiac sign?

Are we astrologically compatible?

How often do you like to have sex?

Do we have similar sex drives?

Do you have any siblings?

And does your birth order reflect your personality?

Online Dating Questions To Ask Before Meeting

How do you prefer to communicate?

Texting? FaceTime? DMs?

What’s your love language?

Mine is acts of service, closely followed by giving gifts.

What’s your dream job?

Do you plan on chasing it, or is it just fun to think about?

What were you like in high school?

Did you prefer tests or papers? Were you a crammer or a planner?

What object can’t you live without?

Go ahead, pick three items you’d take with you on a deserted island.

Regardless of your actual age, do you consider yourself an adult?

Adulting is hard. I’m in my twenties and still feel like a teenager.

What piece of advice would you give your younger self?

Probably not to get that haircut. You know the one.

Do you ever act out of spite?

How two people work through conflict is very important.

How frequently do you bathe or shower?

Hygiene! Is! A! Must!

How do you communicate when you’re upset?

Everybody has different impulses when it comes to communicating negative feelings.

Are you close with your parents?

There’s no right or wrong answer, but the way you talk about the people in you life can be revealing.

What’s your personality type?

Do you know your Myers-Briggs personality type? What about if you’re an introvert or an extrovert?

How do you like to spend your money?

Do you stick to a strict budget, or do you spend as freely as you can?

What does your ideal work-life balance look like?

Finding a balance between energy and rest is important.

Are you a morning person?

I am not a morning person, so you better brew up a pot of coffee.

Where do you see yourself in five years?

... And am I in your vision of the future?

Sources:

Diana and Todd Mitchem, relationship coaches

Dr. Courtney Tracy, doctor of psychology and licensed clinical social worker

Editor’s Note: This story has been updated by Elite Daily’s staff.

3. Expect to trust first impressions

It's nonsense that you need several dates to determine the viability of a new relationship. That view discounts the possibility of magic — an undeniable resonance that a man and woman feel for each other, often right from the start. So trust your instincts; they'll tell you, on the spot, whether the other person lights you up or not.

4. On the other hand, expect you may need to be patient

Daters who are 50 and older tend to be less impulsive — and that's a good thing. By now we've collected enough life experience to know better than to fall for the first person we meet. We understand what works for us and what doesn't. We believe that it's still possible to find a fulfilling relationship — as long as we're willing to wait for the right person to come along.

5. Expect the truth

Even if your heart says, 'He/she's the one!' force your mind to ask questions about such key issues as your partner's financial standing, dating history and relationship goals. Maintain eye contact — and make it clear that you expect the truth, not a sanitized version of it.

6. Expect R-E-S-P-E-C-T

Best Sites To Ask Questions

If you feel like the person across the table is patronizing you — if, for example, he or she suggests you're wasting your life teaching school when the 'real' money's in business — simply say, 'Thanks for the coffee date' and head for the door. A lack of respect is unacceptable under any circumstances. But it's especially intolerable on a first encounter, because it's unlikely to improve with time.

7. Expect a close fit

Forget that hokum about 'Opposites attract.' You want to find a person who's as similar to you as possible. Here's why: Most people resist the idea of seeking out someone who's just like them because they fear that person will share not just their qualities but their faults. Au contraire: Someone who mirrors your personality, tastes and temperament is likelier to be your soul mate than your evil twin.

Questions To Ask Guys On Dating Sites

8. Expect to go out of your mind

At some point you'll be ready to move out of your brain (which brought you to this crossroads) and into your heart (which will show you the path to follow ahead). Trust what that second organ is telling you; your feelings are your ultimate truth.