I'm intellectually curious about almost everything and I seem to be happiest around people who find the world to be a fascinating place. There's nothing more boring than folks who think they've see and done everything worthwhile, so they don't bother to learn about new things & new ideas or are too rigid or unwilling to explore new experiences. I would love to find someone who challenges me intellectually. That type of verbal sparring is the building blocks of great conversation. I don't mind a little sarcasm from my partner. It tells me you've got strong opinions and aren't shy about sharing them and that's terrific!

The most important thing is to get to know you....... usually over a cup of coffee.
Ask a lot of questions, but most importantly, "Listen."

Many people on first dates are nervous, so they just keep talking to fill the silence.
It's ok to simply ask a few questions, then sit back and listen.