You can't manipulate or obfuscate your way into a quality relationship. Be honest, be kind, and see how it goes.

Be honest. Life is just too short.

If someone says flat out,"I need a bible-thumpin' , Trump lovin', baby producin' machine.."
Just run. Your future breakup is not worth the years you will spend figuring it out.

Be honest, all the time. No pretending anything. Why on Earth would you want to pretend to be anything for someone else, if that anything isn't who you really are? That makes NO sense and WILL come back to bite you square in the ass later on. Do not misrepresent yourself, under any circumstances. No game playing. It's immature, and if you're just playing the game "until you get what you came for", you're not only dishonest, you're an asshole.
You ask the questions that are important to you. About anything. Don't be a schmuck.

I am honest, I am who I am and what I am. I'm too old to play games. I don't want to waste time cultivating a relationship with false pretenses. I ask questions I want answered, and I ask about the important stuff. Usually I will know most of the important stuff before we meet in person.

You should absolutely be honest. To be frank, if someone is so insecure that pretending to be someone they are not, is preferential to being single, they have no business looking for a relationship with anybody but a therapist.

Be yourself!
"Play the game until you get what you came for?" .... what did you come for?? No games!
Yes, ask questions that are deal breakers. Depending on the situation, I probably would have already asked those questions, even before meeting.

Honest. Be your true self. I don't have time or energy or patience for anything less

Ok, most of you got this one very wrong. I am surprised by a lot of your answers.

I didn't ask you what you think I should do. I asked what you would do. Just like a christian does you projected your holier than thou morals on to me as if I were the person in need of your red line drawn in the sand of right and wrong with almost no thought to the very gray area of nuanced communication between two complicated people that may have ulterior motives to keep some aspects of their lives confidential for a reason that isn't an outright lie but is still dishonest by omission.
He may have restricted drivers license due to heavy drinking or a restraining order out against him and she may have a kid she's not sure you would be willing to take the responsibility for.

Being judgemental seems to be a trait most of you have in common with people you claim to dislike for their judgementalism.

Are you serious? The answers to your questions are no, no, and yes.

Let me ask you a few more questions.

Do you want a relationship based on lies and bullshit? If so, pretend.

And, "play the game until you get what you came for?". If all you want is to manipulate people into having shallow sex with you, then pretend.

In my opinion, it's better to be honest.
Because what you say can easily come back and bite you in the ass.
Why waste so much energy in being something you're not?

My memory is pretty good, but not good enough to try to remember a litany of lies. Besides, lying is just not in my nature. No, don't "pretend" to be something or someone you're not. Unless the cops are looking for you.

I am 67 and divorced after 30 yrs. Hitting the dating scene recently from dating sites, I make it a point to tell the truth , be open and straight from the go. I'm burnt out from marriage to try and create a false profile I most likely wouldn't recall. It's really a lot easier to date be honest, your at ease with yourself and can let your personality shine thru. If it doesn't work out now then it never would have worked out making up stories.

1. Absolutely not.
2. Play what game?
3. On a first date, not like an inquisition. If things naturally come up, sure talk about it.

For me, believe/non-believe and voted republican or not will ALWAYS come up prior to a first date. My new rule for MY life.

I think you should be honest, but you don't have to trot out your whole history right away (unless directly asked, then don't lie). Many of your questions will be answered, even if not in detail as the date progresses, so no need to push right away. Just be honest & be yourself.

Be honest. Look for common ground whatever it may be, and save the heavy stuff (MSRP) for 3rd or 4th. If you want to treat a date like a job interview, you should ask for a dating resume in advance to save yourself time.

Honesty is the best policy. A relationship founded on lies will be bound for failure. Besides lying takes energy and requires you to remember every thing you said untruthfully. The truth is just easier.

Shouldn't/couldn't most of those issues be resolved,at least to go/np-go level, before you have that first date?

You should never pretend to be something you aren't. That can get you viewed as dishonest if it comes out later.

Damn - you're a boomer too - I would hope you'd have the answers to these ...

If one chooses to be a game player, they're likely to turn off just about any sincere person out there.

Every combination of people is a whole new pairing. How the interaction goes will be different for different people, depending on what's important to them, and what they seek from the potential relationship. Then - what level are they hoping to take it ? Lots of variations out there !

play the game until you got what you came for? ? a date for me would be getting to know someone. I would never try to act like something I thought they wanted. How would I even know what that was?

You should always be honest. Frankly, I'm tired of the catatonic autopilot that everyone seems to constantly be on. I want the real, dirty, fucked up truth about people to see if their demons will play well with mine.

Probably why I'm single.

Ever heard that saying, "Honesty is the best policy?" Well, it really is.

Honesty. Suppose you "play the game" and "get what you came for" but then later, you get fond out... awful situation. In my youth I was a pig, but an honest pig.

Great questions. I think one of the key elements is it's a first date. I wouldn't want to be dishonest but I certainly wouldn't bring up things that are related to baggage ,past mistakes, unless the conversation goes there because the other person is bringing up some really personal stuff. I have found people to be very open when I'm very open. That said just don't bring up that you shot grandma or that used to turn tricks for money.

1st date I would keep it light.