Maybe you can make fun of the awkwardness by groaning, "Aaawwkwaaardd!" or "Boooooooriiiiing" Make sure the person know you are joking though.

wear a funny t-shirt with some weird quote or something funny on it - when it gets akward he'll try to think of something to say then he will see it - and it will start convo - infact where a jumper over it or a cardi or something then you can take it off as your major back up plan if your'e worried he's going to talk about it as soon as he sees you ! !

If you find yourself in an awkward silence, break the ice by asking your date questions about his life, goals, interests, family. That always seems to work.

Read up on current events so you can talk about them, just don't go into something controversial that could cause an arguement. You could also have some interesting personal questions in mind, ask about interests and hobbies - this will also help you to get to know the person.

you could fart. a decent fart always helps during awkward moments

The only reason it is awkward is because it is silent. So, the first time a silent moment occurs, say 'uh, oh.... here is one of those awkward silent moments'. I am sure it will bring a laugh and more convo. I just point out each moment then on out and it becomes funny and not awkward.

Humor works fine for those akward moments. Just don't over do it.

Think about some of the questions that come up on AB, and ask him some of those.

Always ask questions about themselves. People like to talk about themselves. What do you do for a living? How did you get in the career path that your in? Where do you like to vacation? What do you like to do on the weekends? Do you have any pets? Where were you born? It sounds like an interview, but that is what a first date really is.

Don't be afraid of silence, but in case it gets to be too much say, "You know, just today I posted a question on Answerbag asking what to do about those awkward silent moments on a first date. How would you have answered?" This should be accompanied by some genuine laughter <s>.

If you are always filling-up empty air, how will that first kiss ever happen?

Related to snakesncrocks's suggestion about wearing a Tshirt with a slogan, how about wearing some really ornate or interesting looking necklace, that you can talk about. If it doesn't have an interesting story (such as originating from some sort of Celtic tribe, a smbol of eternity/love/fertility/offering to the gods of food), make one up and then when he says "really?" just say "no, made it up, but you believed it and that's the important thing!", or something else humourous. Hopefully he will then talk about jewelrry he wears, or about the time he visited some far-off country that made similar jewellry, or about his interests about other cultures, etc.

You know what has worked for me for YEARS. I allow the possibility (make room) for the "date"/meeting to be either good or bad (not just one or the other). That way I don't worry about how I THINK things are going in any given moment. I'm not locked outside of the moment and am, therefore, able to adapt from moment to moment when I need to/as I need to. Does that make sense?

When you have that "dead air" time, its time to bring out the who, what, when, where, and why questions. This opens up a big world of possibilities for a dead air date. If this does not work, try what my wife and i do on road trips......road games. Its simple and its fun and time-consuming. the variations are countless. here is how its played: it has to do with titles of songs. any song title will do. example: songs that start with the letter C. like, "Come On Over, Baby" by S. Twain. its great fun. This works and is guaranteed to start the conversation ball rolling.

Its through those silent moments, that you've wrongly labelled "awkward", where you'll make progress, find answers and truths about the other person & yourself and if you're both vibrating on the same frequency, which is critical for harmony. ------------------------------- ADDITION: You should also appreciate that the guy may have similar concerns and so don't assume that there is some burdensome responsibility on your shoulders to ensure it doesn't happen. In any event, you can only ever go 50% of the way in a situation - any more than that and you giving or taking more than is equitable, which isn't a sustainable basis for a relationship. Another thing is that if such a moment(s) arrives, you can use it to just look at each other and simply giggle/laugh about it, which will break the ice and relax you both a bit.

My grandma always sead if a guy is too quiet then he is sneaky. he is hiding something.She was right. Me and my husband have been together for 5 years now and he loves too have u know what a lot.We are soul mates we get along and agree on almost everything ecept chinses food or asin foods. I think in a way men are more great when they are not talking about crap we dont care about I hate when some men gripe about stuff like women on there periods. That is not cool. Well any ways you will have those silent moments and if you get married too him you will have the more offten than you thought you would. I dont know how old you are but people use to say stay in college go too college go for your dreams and dont side track if you are young and you get pregnate kiss all that down the drain. I wanted to be a scientist when I grew up, I am not that now I am a stay at home mom that changes dypers all day. that is gay!!!sucks not having any help,men are lazy when it comes to house work or kids not all just 95% of them out there. If they dont get a pay check normaly they dont want to do nothing. most guys are lazy retards and I dont know where there brains are on yes thinking of sex every 15 seconds did you know that a lot of guys have told me that every man thinks of sex every 15 seconds that is nasty if you think about it. GROSS!!!