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to ask if you were going on a first date with a solicitor in his 50s (OD of course) what would be good topics of conversation?

61 replies

EllenNotHelen · 06/11/2013 00:34

Haven't had date for ages and now I'm about to see this solicitor and I'm getting nervous. We've done the messaging thing and lots of amusing banter, but feeling he might think I'm a bit dim and boring (I'm not, just my insecurities) so thought if I had a few conversation pieces in mind it might help.

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KerwhizzedMyself · 06/11/2013 00:37

I am useless too so can't help but your username made me smile Grin I had a friend called Ellen as a child and whenever we met new people we'd always have the ITS ELLEN NOT HELEN moment haha!

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littleoaktree · 06/11/2013 00:44

I'm a solicitor and I know plenty of dim and boring solicitors so you might be a good match Wink

Joking aside, I'd have thought the same topics as you would use for any first date, there's certainly no magic about solicitors Grin

If you do want to ask stuff related to his job then most solicitors have a few stories of nightmare clients/funny cases etc, what area of law is he in?

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EllenNotHelen · 06/11/2013 00:50

Not sure little. He's mentioned having to go out at short notice sometimes, not sure if that gives any clues.

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Caitlin17 · 06/11/2013 00:57

I'm a solicitor in my fifties.
We're just like anyone else really.

What would you talk about with any other friends?

Going out at short notice suggests criminal law rather than civil.

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TrucksAndDinosaurs · 06/11/2013 00:58

The Rebekah Brooks/Coulson trial and Leveson Inquiry. Lots of stuff on Guardian Comment Is Free (opinion columns).
Tv shows he enjoys and whether legal ones are compelling if you're a lawyer.
What was he good/bad at at school.
And the usual: music, favourite food and wine, holidays...

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BOF · 06/11/2013 00:59

Honestly, just leave it and go with the flow. It's not a job interview.

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Gossipyfishwife · 06/11/2013 01:00

You could ask him what religion he is, who he votes for, which football team he supports and how much he earns. I've had hundreds of first dates......

(They never seem to want a second one though. Wish I could work it out)

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IneedAsockamnesty · 06/11/2013 01:02

I would try to avoid any in depth conversations about the pit falls of polyester under garments

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LessMissAbs · 06/11/2013 01:41

Lord Denning. Google him. (don't forget that he has now passed away).

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Mandy2003 · 06/11/2013 04:01

Juicy divorces he's been involved with - including his! No, a brief (ha ha) chat about the law, especially why he chose what branch he did?

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MusicalEndorphins · 06/11/2013 04:20

Rob Ford, Mayor of Toronto...should he be forced out after admitting smoking crack?
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/mayor-rob-ford-won-t-step-down-despite-crack-use-1.2415533

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madwomanintheatt1c · 06/11/2013 05:24

Your own crack habit?
The fact that you got away with murder because they couldn't find the body?
Your own juicy divorce?

I've never dated a solicitor, but I know a few. I'd probably advise steering well clear of 'pet' topics unless you want to be the one sneaking out of the bog window... alternatively, if arguing into the wee small hours because neither of you will admit you are wrong, fill your boots...

Rob Ford is a fruitcake
He makes Boris look positively sane.

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Kiwiinkits · 06/11/2013 06:35

ask him whether he enjoyed law school and why.

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Kiwiinkits · 06/11/2013 06:36

and, what does he think of the 'new generation' of lawyers coming throuugh the system? Good, great, terrible?

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Auntidote · 06/11/2013 06:43

A surprising number of clever men seem to like dim and boring so you may be in luck. Wink

Seriously, just be yourself. No point acting a part if you can't keep it up forever. Or pretending great knowledge of legal matters if you don't have them. Asking people about their work is a safe bet but he may well not be defined by it.

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sofahogger · 06/11/2013 06:55

Keep it more general, hobbies,favourite food, film etc. I'm sure with being at work all day he doesn't want to talk about it on his date too. Just be yourself and if the chemistry is right the conversation will flow automatically.
I once had a date with a fireman and not once mentioned his job on first date. Even though I was dying to see him in his kit.

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Lavenderhoney · 06/11/2013 06:58

I dated a solicitor. He was quite normal and thankfully I didn't ever feel the urge to swot up on the broadsheets before a date:)

Just normal chat, I suppose. Not like a job interview:) I expect he's nervous too.

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MistAllChuckingFrighty · 06/11/2013 07:22

Are solicitors not part of the rest of the human race then ?

Don't sound so star struck, that would be a start. They are no more intelligent/amusing/dull/special than anyone else.

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HarryStottle · 06/11/2013 07:29

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

lottiegarbanzo · 06/11/2013 07:37

So a bloke, with a job, then?

Probably not his job, at any length, as like most people, he probably wants to escape it in his social life, or, if he does want to discuss to at length, he's probably a work-obsessed bore!

I have to admit though, my first thought / hope was wine. Otherwise, you know, pastimes, travel, film, cinema, books...

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MusicalEndorphins · 06/11/2013 07:37

Rob Ford is a fruitcake
I second that!

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lottiegarbanzo · 06/11/2013 07:37

I meant film and theatre!

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FudgefaceMcZ · 06/11/2013 07:47

My 'boyfriend' is a solicitor. I can't remember first date, think we talked about mad work colleagues and the crapness of the recession meaning everyone was on temp contracts. Er planning law is a great topic, can go on for hours (take a book or something to read under table). Otherwise, I dunno, they watch telly and have families and things like everyone else, should be fairly easy to find some topic of conversation.

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Brittabot · 06/11/2013 07:52

Why have you mentioned his being a solicitor? Just have a few topics of conversation in reserve just in case there are any awkward silences (music, books, food?). Enjoy your date!

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AmandaCooper · 06/11/2013 07:58

He's really just an ordinary bloke OP, just talk about whatever you normally would. If someone started chatting to me about Lord Denning apropos of nothing on a first date I'd think they were crackers!

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