Unusual First Date Options - Step Out of the Box
Okay, so you've been emailing each other for awhile, maybe
you're text messaging and perhaps you've talked on the phone.
You feel a certain chemistry and you want to move on to the next
step...the DATE. You can't decide where to go or what to do. The
possibilities are endless. I'd like to make a suggestion...skip
the whole dinner and a movie thing. Try something different.
Step out of your comfort zone...out of the box. Remember when
you were little and it was okay to color outside of the lines?
Try it. It can open up a whole new world. Forget about the
standard dinner and movie. Dinner's nice, but why spend two
hours in a theater watching someone else when you can be doing
something fun that will help you get to know one another?
Put on your thinking cap and get creative. If you're not the
creative type, ask for help from your family and friends. Not
only will something different be fun, but you'll stand out in
the crowd. Your date will remember the fact that you gave some
thought to where you were going and what you were going to do.
There will be plenty of time later on, if you continue to see
each other, for dinner and a movie.
Personally, I like bowling. You might be laughing right now, or
thinking "no way", but I can tell you that it can be a lot of
laughs. Bowling is gas! It's also nice that you are surrounded
by other people, making your date feel safe. In addition, the
fun and laughter around you can be contagious. If neither of you
have ever bowled, it can be a learning experience for both of
you, and no one will be at an unfair advantage. If one of you
has bowled before, it can be an opportunity to be a teacher. On
the other hand, if both of you have bowled; you can just relax
and enjoy yourself. Throw a little alcohol into the mix (for it
is one sport that actually invites you to imbibe) and just have
fun. You might each bring a friend, which will also alleviate
some of that "first date" stress.
If you're not into bowling, a picnic can be nice. Now, I
understand that picnics usually have a romantic stigma attached
to them, but you can change that. Rather than finding a nice
little secluded spot in the middle of nowhere, plop yourself
down in the middle of a populated park somewhere. Entertain
yourselves by people watching. You can make an impression, if
you put some thought into it. Think about the menu and the
accoutrements. If you're not so swift in the kitchen, ask
someone who is. Try a local deli or gourmet store. Many of them
will be only too happy to put the whole thing together for you.
Pick a menu and accessories that will make a statement. Forget
the styrofoam cups and potato chips. Up the ante a little bit. A
bottle of wine or champagne is a nice touch, but don't forget
the corkscrew and the glasses. There's nothing worse than
finding yourself unprepared when you're trying to make a good
first impression. Make a list and check it twice. Remember
something to sit on, and make sure it's nice, clean and without
holes or stains. Remember napkins...cloth is nice. Be sure to
bring such things as salt and pepper, and ice cold bottled water
is always good. Run through your plans with a fine toothed comb
and get rid of any snags.
Where you are and the time of year can help dictate where you go
and what you do. If the weather is nice you could take a nice
long walk or hike, and stop somewhere along the way for
something cold to drink. You could go to the beach, walk along
the boardwalk and stop for lunch overlooking the ocean. Roller
blading or bicycling is always an option, as is a trip to a
local winery or a farmer's market. If it is winter or the
weather is chilly, your options might be a bit different.
Instead of roller blading, you could try ice skating. If you've
never skated and you go to a public skating rink, you can find
comfort in the fact that you won't be the only ones falling
down. You will be surrounded by others doing the same. If
there's snow around, you could go somewhere nice for lunch where
there is a wonderful view. The possibilities, like I said, are
endless.
If you plan ahead of time, ask others for dating ideas. Your
Aunt Mary of Uncle Bob might know just the spot. You can go to
your local Chamber of Commerce or Visitors Center for
information. Sometimes we have events in our own town that we
know nothing about. When the weather is warm, many towns and
cities have outdoor concerts or festivals of some kind. There
might be someplace historical you've never been. Museums and art
galleries are good too.
So, if you want to have a successful first date, give it some
thought. Don't be afraid of the unknown. Instead, embrace it.
Enlist the help of family, friends and co-workers. Peruse your
local Sunday paper or Weekly. Dare to be different. If the date
ends up being a bust, at least you've tried something new or out
of the ordinary. Good luck and happy dating!