What's someone supposed to do? Magically turn into master converser? Must be nice not to have this problem.
If you can't think of a single damn thing to say?
Anxiety shuts down high brain functions. I literally "freeze."
You don't need to be a master anything, just be yourself.
I already gave you things to say, look around the room, look at the girl, there must be something. Having canned lines is lame as hell though. Maybe there is an odd couple in the cafe? A young lady and old guy? Ask your date if she thinks they are a couple... Or better yet, mime what you think they are saying? Just have fun. You are in a room most likely (cafe or something) if it's a first date, it's full of thousands of things to talk about? Did you ever play "eye spy with my little eye" when you were a kid? Obviously probably don't play that game, but the concept is the same, look around for something and use it to your advantage. Maybe something reminds you of a story you could share? Or just do what the others said, keep it simple and let her talk? Or pull the old zackiechan trick and compare hand sizes or some other similar silly shit. I literally cannot imagine having notes of things to say prepared, and then looking at them, even like a ninja...
If you are completely shutting down and freezing I don't see how notes will help.
Didn't you know? GAF is full of master converser. ;-)
Don't listen to this bullcrap. Everywhere you're better off if you're prepared one way or the other. Whether it be notes or extensive evaluating what you can talk about beforehand, don't go in blind if you know you ain't staying completely relaxed during the whole date - and I seriously doubt that anyone can stay relaxed except if he/she has like a dozen dates per month.
You can easily be relaxed even if you have one date per year, you just have to know your own worth, and also not put so much pressure on this girl being "the one." You gotta realize she's just a person same as anyone else.
And I agree it's good to be prepared. It doesn't mean notes or having a pre determined list of topics, it means dressing well, grooming yourself well, and being open to whatever the night brings. Everyone has hobbies, stories, a childhood, siblings... Ask about that stuff, but just let it flow naturally where the conversation leads. Shit it's gotta be harder remembering a predetermined set of topics than just chatting naturally.
If there is literally nothing you can say without resorting to a list, how will date two and three and so on go? You aren't ready for dating if you gotta brainstorm everytime you see a girl.