Ever had one of those awkward first dates filled with silence, or had to sit through a boring family reunion? Well, you’re not alone… New research has revealed that the majority of Londoners (92%) have rehearsed a conversation ahead of a meet-up, with 88% coming up with pre-prepared talking points to ensure the conversation flowed well. Not only that – the research conducted by The Yards also found that almost three in five (59%) have cancelled a date because they were worried about running out of things to talk about.

To help combat this, The Yards, a shopping, dining and wellness destination in the heart of Covent Garden has partnered with The School of Life, an educational platform which offers a variety of programs and resources to help people learn, heal and grow, to create bespoke menus designed to ignite meaningful conversations and cultivate connections.

Every menu will include a curated set of questions aimed at sparking engaging conversations. Just like a well-designed set menu, the questions will be categorised into starters, main course, and dessert, intended to stimulate meaningful connections among diners, whether they are first-time daters, friends, partners, families, or even strangers sharing a meal together. These thought-provoking questions are designed to dig deep and create opportunities for genuine connections and memorable conversations that go beyond small talk. The menus will be available at select locations throughout The Yards, every Thursday from 25th May through to the end of June.

Joelle Fry, Place & Marketing Manager from The Yards comments, “We are thrilled to announce our collaboration with The School of Life in launching Conversation Menus at The Yards. Our recent survey revealed that 80% of Londoners would take advantage of conversation prompts, and Conversation Menus offer this whilst getting to know the other person on a deeper level. The anxiety is eliminated, creating a relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere that fosters meaningful connections. Whether you are meeting someone for the first time or have known them for years, the menus provide an excellent opportunity to deepen relationships without the fear of awkwardness.”

Four different Conversation Menus have been designed; one for first dates, long-term relationships, BFFs and families. Each menu contains 12 questions, varying in topics. For example, the first dates menu includes questions like ‘list your top three worries in life at the moment,’ while the BFFs menu asks, ‘name something you deeply appreciate about everyone around the table.’

Billy Soulis, Faculty Member from The School Of Life comments, “Our mission at The School of Life is to equip individuals with the necessary tools to lead fulfilling lives in the face of modern challenges. The Conversation Menus encourage people to open up and engage in lively discussions on topics like love, money, travel, self-discovery, and the meaning of life. They comprise of thought-provoking questions and invitations to share, creating an environment that fosters intimacy, builds friendships, and sparks joy, making our shared meals everything we had hoped for.”

Launching on 25th May, The School of Life Conversation Menus will be available every Thursday throughout May and June at select locations throughout The Yards such as Badiani , Miscusi, Guru Guru, and Stanfords. For more information, head to https://theyardscoventgarden.co.uk/events/loveattheyards/