It sets the tone for the entire date. Avoid overly formal or awkward opening lines such as “Hello, I’m XX, nice to meet you” — while polite, such expressions come across as rather stiff. Instead, you can try more relaxed and natural ways to start a conversation, like “Wow, the atmosphere here is really nice; do you come here often?” or “Looks like we’re both right on time today — are you looking forward to this date?” Such opening lines not only show your sense of humor but also help quickly bridge the gap between you.
The opening line when meeting for the first time is crucial.