Day 2

Day 2 is the second meeting with a woman after you met her for the first time, for example at a bar, in the street or through friends. It is usually the first planned date. The term separates the first encounter (“Day 1”), where you meet by chance and exchange contact details, from the next step, where both of you have time to get to know each other.

Why it matters

A good first conversation can easily end with a number that never turns into a meeting. Day 2 is the point where a spark either becomes something or fades. People are more relaxed at their second meeting but also more critical: the first meeting was a pleasant surprise, the second is a real decision.

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How to plan it

• Stay in touch. A short, friendly message soon after meeting keeps the memory fresh. See number close.
• Suggest something simple. A coffee, a walk, a drink or a market works better than an elaborate dinner. See Cheap Date Ideas.
• Be clear and specific. “Thursday at 7, the bar near the station?” gets more yeses than “we should meet some time”.
• Keep the same energy. Be the person she met on Day 1: relaxed, curious, good-humoured.
• Go step by step. Light touch such as a hug hello or sitting side by side works better than a rush. See kino escalation.
• Be prepared for flakes. A cancelled plan is common and not always a sign of disinterest. Offer one new time, then let it go.

Example

Day 1 (in the street): “I need to run, but I’d like to hear the rest of this story. Give me your number?” Two days later: “Hi, it’s Tom from the bookshop. Still keen on that coffee? Saturday afternoon works for me.”

Common mistakes

• Waiting too long, so that the memory fades.
• Making the date too long or too formal.
• Trying to repeat jokes from Day 1 instead of talking naturally. See What to Talk About on a First Date.
• Pressure. If she is not comfortable, slow down or stop. See First Date Mistakes.