The List… Or a fun and charming way to extract info about your guy :-)

When you’re dating on the internet, you have to find a way to get information out of your Prospective Beloved. The thing is, you have to be able to extract said information in a charming way. Blunt, pointed, pragmatic questions rarely work, and, let’s face it, aren’t appropriate for this particular kind of interview. ☺

So, I’ve come up with a list. Among my friends, it’s become known as “The List”. The List is a series of questions I’ve been using during my off again/on again dating adventures since my divorce ten years ago. You see, I know a lot of men because I work with mostly men. Once thing I know about all men, regardless of age, race, education, or even country of origin, is that they all have the patience and attention span of a gnat with ADD. No offense, guys!

However, I am a girl that needs information. Data points, if you will. And that means I had to come up with a way to quickly get said data points from the guys I date. Well, really, The List is quite handy at a party, too. It can definitely be a conversation starter. But, that’s another blog.

The thing about the list is that it’s fun. And, the point is to start a conversation as much as it is to gather information. What’s more, it’s cute and charming and I’ve yet to have anyone I’m interested in not answer the questions. Those who’ve ignored the questions? Well, let’s just say they are no longer on the list of viable candidates. ☺ What I’ve found is that with each question, you get a smile and a small piece of data. For example, let’s take the first question: Plain or Peanut? Funny, yes? But, also informative. If the person answers with “Plain. I have peanut allergies.” You found out a piece of handy information. Or, if they answer “Plain. But, only if they’re the dark chocolate kind.” You’ve got a different answer, but still, you have a small candy coated piece of information. Without having to resort to interrogation tactics, which some women I know have been on the verge of endorsing with some of their dates!

So, here are my top ten from The “Famous” List. Feel free to use it. Or, better yet, if you think of things to add, drop me a line!

1. Plain or peanut?
2. Coke or Pepsi?
3. Biscuits or Gravy? (Hey, I live in the South!)
4. Lions or tigers or bears, oh my?
5. Milk Chocolate or Dark Chocolate?
6. Mac or PC? (Definitely a conversation starter!)
7. Beach or Mountain?
8. Sushi or bait? (Again, I live in the South, people.)
9. Ginger or Mary Ann? (This one is my favorite!)
10. Coffee or tea?