Naturally, you're excited and have everything all planned out: a little mini-golf, dinner at a fancy restaurant, a few drinks.

But, you're a little concerned too because you're not sure if she will find you interesting. What if you have nothing to talk about? The thought races through your head and it's a bit intimidating.

Here are some surefire conversation starters for your first date. Not only will they keep the conversation flowing and lively, they will also help you get to know your date better. Better still, you, the clever conversationalist that you are, will come off appearing as a thoughtful and caring fellow.

1. Free time pursuits

What does she do during her free time? Does she dance, collect stamps or roller blade? What sports does she enjoy? What type of music does she love? These topics will serve your will in two ways: First, they allow you to gauge what things you have in common and what kind of bond you may have. Second, they provide a lot of insight for future conversations.

2. Work

This is a great topic, especially for those who have been out of college for some time. Almost everyone likes to talk about their work, no matter how routine it may be. For some women, work is the central thing in their lives and talking about it can make you feel closer to her.

3. Friends

Although you may not know her friends, she will love to talk about them anyway. She will talk about how she met them and what they mean to her as well as the things they do together.

It may be difficult staying attentive when talking about people you don't know, but hang in there. If she's the type of woman you'd like to know better, then her friends are a great source to learn about her past (...and discover the skeletons in her closet).

4. Weekends

What does she like to do during weekends and how does she usually spend them?

If the date is going great, talking about weekends can send her the right signal. It can make her think, "Does he want to spend time with me during weekends?"

The way she talks about this topic can give you clues about your future prospects with her.

5. The future

This can be a tricky topic, but if everything is going great on your date, then why not talk about all the things you can do together in the future?

If you misread the situation, this topic can scare her off. But if she's eager to spend more time with you, she will be curious about what you have in store for her in the future.

Oh, and just so you're well-rounded on this topic, here's one subject that you shouldn't talk about: her past. Never ask about past lovers on your first date (or during any date, for that matter, unless she initiates it, and even then it may not be a good idea).

Old feelings of pain and hurt may resurface. Or worse, she may not be totally over her last beau. In any case, it's a subject matter that is fraught with danger, so proceed with caution.