FUN FIRST DATE IDEAS
ACTIVE PURSUITS Head out for a bush
FOOD, GLORIOUS FOOD Check out a farmers market, pack a gourmet picnic, take a cooking class, book a winery or brewery tour or visit a food festival.
FIND YOUR INNER CHILD Book a laser tag session, try ice skating, go to an arcade, ogle fish at an aquarium or visit the zoo.
ART AND CULTURE Take in a literary festival, browse bookstores, try a writing or painting class, visit a gallery, enjoy live theatre or music or go dancing.
hike, tandem bike ride, rock climbing, sailing, paddleboarding or other outdoor activities.
are as independent as I am. Somewhere in the near future, perhaps there could be a potential travel companion and a plus-one for dinner or dance parties. I believe there is someone out there for me!” For Belle, the singles dinner service provides an opportunity to connect on a deeper level than impersonal apps. “Being an old-fashioned gal, I very much prefer meeting people face-to-face and the social aspect is what drew me to it. Being able to hear people’s voices and expressions adds value to conversations. “I also enjoy getting dressed up for dinner and I look forward to the stories and experiences shared within the small group. These types of meetups are great.” Although Belle says the jury is still out on whether it will lead to a relation- ship, she has met some interesting people. “From what I have seen, there are a few individuals who are looking for a serious partner. I think this is a fantastic platform
for those who would not have the confi - dence to approach someone in the street or at a cafe and start up a conversation.” Likewise, Paul Taffa, 60, from Sydney has found the organised dinners a great way to move away from online inter- actions. After being single for six years, he’s currently looking for a long-term relationship. “It gives me a chance to pres- ent myself as an intelligent, thoughtful, engaged person, rather than as a pic and text on a website, with no context,” says Paul. “The dinners are enjoyable and meet- ing new people is always good.” He recommends in-person dining meetups to anyone who is “technology challenged” or busy with work. “I can attend when it suits me, and it’s really great to see other people in real life.”
THE ART OF SMALL TALK By SAMANTHA JAYNE
Build rapport Flirting is about making the person in front of you feel good and this ultimately makes them want to be with you. Give compliments, followed by a question, and acknowledge their response once they have answered the question. If you follow this formula, it will allow conversation to flow organically. Focus on common ground Talk about the things you both enjoy, your similarities and try to keep things light-hearted. Avoid talking about serious issues such as politics, religion, your breakup with an ex-partner or bad dates. Stay engaged Make sure you smile, hold eye contact and actively listen to what the person is saying. Ignore your phone and stay focused.
For more about dating and the over 50s, download the Australian Seniors podcast series Life’s Booming: Dare to Date at seniors.com.au/podcast
You attend from the Katch app and the host greets you privately and takes you to the bar area where you can interact with others as a group. A musician, comedian, DJ or guest speaker is creating the vibe and providing an entertaining environment for all. At times during the event, people are matched with others and
introduced to each other in private video calls. This continues throughout the relaxed event.” Want to try? Paul says Katch has a high rate of transition to real-life first dates, and is growing quickly, with plans to launch in Australia in September. Keep an eye out at katch.ie/events
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SENIORS.COM.AU
SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2023 DARE
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