List some of the topics YOU would like to discuss on dates if you had your choice.
Are they topics that focus on sex, personality, compatability?

We can learn a lot about a person from the things they want to talk about while on a date with us.

Weather
Politics
Other people

For me, I find its interesting to discuss views on

Handling stress
Family values
Compatability preferences

That is because I am searching for a companion.

My topics work towards my goal of finding someone just right for me.

Has anyone else focused on directing date topics?

Are you open to any subject or do you find some just meaningless to your goal?

Granted, it depends a lot on the reason you are on the date in the first place but I'm asking if you have a preference range and if you would share it?

While it is easy for me to discuss any subject, I do have a preference related to my reasons for dating.

I've been on a date with someone just willy-nilly with no direction or focus and they have not been very good dates.

What do you value in life and what do you dislike , would be my first questions! Dating does not mean a relationship!

No it doesn't and not everyone is looking for a relationship.

I am, so if no relationship is likely, I won't go on the date in the first place.
Dating, just like my participation and membership to this site, is nothing more than a means to an end.
If I find someone for me, I will not be here nor go on any more dates in search of someone because then my dates with her will change to entertainment we share.

When I go on a first or second date with someone, I'm not wanting to get into a deep conversation. I'll talk about where I grew up and our childhood experiences that we had. What kind of family did we both grow up in. What interests and hobbies we have. That's about it for me.

Main topic your place or mine..lol

It depends how the date goes, but interesting for me are his values in life, his goals, likes and dislikes. But that doesn't have to be immidiately revealed on the first date.

On a first date, it would be mainly small talk about what we had already chatted about earlier, as the date would be for a coffee only, as a meet and greet, but if it was going well I would talk more about them, a little about what they like to do when going out, with a view to asking for a second date and leaving that decision with them to decide later.

There's really no stipulation of first, second, fifth, etc...
If you would prefer different discussion topics on different date sequences, that's fine too.

I really don't consider the meet & greet as anything more than an introduction. For me, the first date is the one we both plan for at the meet & greet or after the meet & greet. It signifies the start of a relationship because both parties decide to want to see each other again.

I once had a conversation with a guy where we talked about everything under the sun from our childhood, to our professions, to our hobbies , to politics and religion to previous relationships. There wasnt a single lull for the hours that we spoke and I enjoyed it immensely!

And then by contrast, I had.a conversation with another guy comprising of a lot of trite witty banter punctuated by very brief but deep introspections about life and people, That convo was just as enjoyable and satifying as the first because our synergy was awesome

I think its more about the mental and emotional synergy between the two people rather than the topics raised in discussion.

Ive met some super sweet guys with identical goals , interests and values to mine , but our combined energy felt so heavy that the discussion felt more like an interview... no levity ... no playfulnes...NO FUN lol

So I prefer to stick to light generic topics in the beginning to feel out our synergy first.

The heavier topics can be raised after that synergy is established in my opinion :)

i have yet to find a taboo topic.
though the earlier in the process the more it tends to the lighter getting to know you topics

The one that really bugs me is, where do you see yourself in 5 years?
Obviously keep clear of dominating the date with conversation about your ex, keep politics to a minimum, try and find a common ground and keep it rolling. easier these days as you'll probably have found that in online chat with them.

Myself I prefer a casual conversation and not to be drilled like I was in a interview....

Therefore just what ever comes up at the time... like your talking to a friend...

I find it kinda disheartening that no matter what topic is presented some people react with negativity.
It seems like it is easier to have a conversation about what we don't like than what we do like?
It doesn't matter what the topic is about, there is always a "but..." in there someplace.
Like the baseline human experience is complaining or disdain.

Ask a complete stranger how they are doing and you get "fine" as a knee-jerk reaction but you ask someone you know the same question and depending on how well you know them they tend to commence telling you all that is going wrong for them.

Its like there is a competition to see who has the more terrible things happening in their lives.
I find that the more someone is media exposed the more negative their topics for discussion become.

I'm talking with a woman on another site. Every message has something in it about how terrible her life is.
I directly dated a woman a while back that felt it was interesting to me for her to sit on my porch and complain about her life. When I requested that we talk about some good things, she lost her ability to talk. What is worse is that she didn't even realize she was doing it.

I have a problem solving attitude in life. My mind tries to seek out solutions when a problem is presented. When someone I care about expresses a problem to me I have a need to try to help them with it. It makes me appear to be a know it all or overly manipulative but my impulse is to help them.

Someone once told me that it takes courage to share problems with others. I don't agree. It takes courage to share joy with others despite your problems. You don't tell someone your problems unless you are seeking a solution.

I'm more interested in learning what you DO LIKE than what you DON'T LIKE. I want to hear about what is right in your life.
I don't want a date that requires a band-aid for her booboos everytime we meet.

.. no taboo topics..
Ummm.. not too sure about that!! I found a few myself... like how soon can I be expected to be written into your will..?
And if you have a girlfriend.. do you think she'd be interested in joining us in the bedroom?.
And if I bring one or two or three mouse traps into the bedroom would that freak you out.?..
.
And also on our second date can I bring my mother along with us.?... she wants to check you out and Gage your performance..

What can I say she's overly protective..lol

like how soon can I be expected to be written into your will..?
Women that have a sense of humor or don't have a will.
And if you have a girlfriend.. do you think she'd be interested in joining us in the bedroom?.
Any prostitute
And if I bring one or two or three mouse traps into the bedroom would that freak you out.?...
Anyone with twisted sexual urges or a prostitute
And also on our second date can I bring my mother along with us.?... she wants to check you out and Gage your performance...
Anyone that considers the source, any prostitute, anyone without self-esteem issues

Its all timing and delivery.
You can pretty much say anything you want but you may not get the reaction you were hoping for. Then again, maybe you will?

I would be interested in knowing their values, hobbies, places travels, guilty pleasures (light at first, more personal as we got to know each other). Ideas or goals they have that are not generally known by others. ie: acting on stage or piloting a glider.

I really believe it takes 2. I've been on dates when you try making conversation and are met with one word answers, very tedious. Yet I've been on others and they won't shut up

Hum you sound really sweet . Well that's the most important of it all .. would like to meet you

Hahaha I'm one of those that don't shut up

But I have never had a problem keeping a conversation going either there is always something to talk about...

The only thing I do not get into talking about with family/friends/dates is Politics/Religion...

That's great , however many are seeking dates ! I have had several nice dates on other paid sites but none were right for a serious relationship!!!!! I'm picky.