First Date Ideas

[the Langolier]

So, I've been brainstorming about a first date idea, and decided to let Google do the thinking for me. In my search I found this page for 101 Date Ideas: Thoughts to Spark Your First Date Activity. I figured this would be pretty helpful, so I started down the list and came to number five:

5. Get up extra early, watch the sunrise, then make breakfast together

Really... first date? "Ok great, I'll just pick you up at your place, say... 4 am?" Just imagine a guy asking you, "Well, we could watch the sunrise and then make breakfast together? Of course, you'll probably have to stay over at my place the night before." Or maybe they just figure you met her at the club the previous night and are dating retroactively. Maybe not the best idea, but hey, there's bound to be a few duds among 101 ideas. Then, I came across number six:

6. Attend a little league game

I can hardly imagine a situation where simply suggesting this as a date would not be disastrous.

"Hey, would you like to go out on Saturday afternoon?"

"Yeah, I'd like that"

"Great, how about we go to a little league game? My son is the left fielder."

"...Son?"

Or, better still:

"Would you like to go to a little league game with me on Sunday?"

"Sure, is your little brother playing or something?"

"Nah, I just like to watch."

There are some good ideas, but some are just downright creepy. Any others you find to be a little off the mark? On the other hand, what are some enjoyable first dates that you have been on?

[LennyLen]

I can't see many people ever getting a second date if they use that site. There were a few OK ones, but in general, they all seemed to rely on you already knowing what the person likes.

There were a few really oddball ones:

93. Take a weekend trip in your state

A weekend trip as a first date?

35. Play bingo

IS this site aimed at grandmothers?

25. Visit the pumpkin farm

All I can say is - WTF?

[kandrathe]

Yeah, #79 is fraught with danger too. What if the astrologer doesn't think you are compatible?

First dates are for determining if the chemistry is right, not for jumping into even light forms of psychoanalysis.

Some of these are creative, but most are pretty horrible. I'd never bring a date to a bar, club, movie, concert, or sports event. You have about 3 or 4 hours together, and so you'd better be able to concentrate, hear and communicate. The best first date idea that worked for me was to go for a walk in a beautiful park or garden.

My wife and I were set up by mutual friends who thought it best we start with a double date designed by them. It was horrible, we went to a horrible movie (Dr. Detroit), and afterwards ate at Perkins where a small boy was tossing pieces of sticky pancakes at us. There was a moment when our escorts left us alone when we both agreed the date was horrible, and exchanged phone numbers to arrange a more romantic 2nd date.

[roguebanshee]

"Hey, would you like to go out on Saturday afternoon?"

"Yeah, I'd like that"

"Great, how about we go to a little league game? My son is the left fielder."

"...Son?"

Single parents aren't as uncommon as you may think. And just because they're single now they may not want to stay that way forever.

[Xiuhcoatl]

I can't see many people ever getting a second date if they use that site. There were a few OK ones, but in general, they all seemed to rely on you already knowing what the person likes.

There were a few really oddball ones:
A weekend trip as a first date?

So, I guess asking someone to fly a few thousand miles to a country never visited before to stay for a month of fun and romance would be completely out of the question for you, eh? ;)

I agree that some of the suggestions quoted here would be inappropriate for what I consider to be suitable for a first date (which to me is an outing planned by two associates/friends - not complete strangers - who want to explore a romantic and/or intimate relationship), many are not. Sharing the beauty of a sunrise and then making breakfast is romantic; playing bingo is not.

[gojukaine]

Ok, I'll offer a suggestion. When my wife and I were first thrown together by Shoju and his wife (at the time girlfriend), we had our first date by going and playing mini golf (or putt putt or whatever it's called where you are) and went to a decent sit down dinner. Bear in mind that we are really blue collar so sit down for us was a trip to Applebee's. Regardless, the whole event gave us a chance to get to know each other.

[kandrathe]

Ok, I'll offer a suggestion. When my wife and I were first thrown together by Shoju and his wife (at the time girlfriend), we had our first date by going and playing mini golf (or putt putt or whatever it's called where you are) and went to a decent sit down dinner. Bear in mind that we are really blue collar so sit down for us was a trip to Applebee's. Regardless, the whole event gave us a chance to get to know each other.

Mini golf would be fine, as would bowling, or other no sweating activities.

But, kayaking? Sure, it's not as death defying as sky diving, but it's sure going to be mortifying at some point. Go to a batting cage? I don't know. It seems a like a guy buddy activity. Yoga class? Just the opposite, especially if the guy shows up in tights.

Create a scrapbook? "Hi, this is Fred, you remember we met at Joe's party. I was wondering if you'd like to come over tomorrow and do some scrap booking?"

Read Shakespeare? I'd suggest "The Taming of the Shrew" as an ice breaker.

BAPTISTA: Gentlemen, importune me no farther, For how I firmly am resolved you know; That is, not bestow my youngest daughter Before I have a husband for the elder: If either of you both love Katharina, Because I know you well and love you well, Leave shall you have to court her at your pleasure.
GREMIO: [Aside] To cart her rather: she's too rough for me. There, There, Hortensio, will you any wife?
KATHARINA: I pray you, sir, is it your will To make a stale of me amongst these mates?
HORTENSIO: Mates, maid! how mean you that? no mates for you, Unless you were of gentler, milder mould.
KATHARINA: I'faith, sir, you shall never need to fear: I wis it is not half way to her heart; But if it were, doubt not her care should be To comb your noddle with a three-legg'd stool And paint your face and use you like a fool.
HORTENSIA: From all such devils, good Lord deliver us!
GREMIO: And me too, good Lord!
TRANIO: Hush, master! here's some good pastime toward: That wench is stark mad or wonderful froward.
LUCENTIO: But in the other's silence do I see Maid's mild behavior and sobriety. Peace, Tranio!
TRANIO: Well said, master; mum! and gaze your fill.

[--Pete]

Hi,

So, I guess asking someone to fly a few thousand miles to a country never visited before to stay for a month of fun and romance would be completely out of the question for you, eh? ;)

:lol:

hugs

--Pete

[shoju]

#65) Go see a local Band.

This is from a local perspective.

I was in a local band. You do NOT want to go see a local band as a first date, unless you are trying to judge how much BS a person is willing to deal with. Local bands play in dive bars, or expensive bars. You are either going to end up hearing:

"Play some Skynard!"

"Play some AC/DC" (Which comes out sounding like Ay SEE DEE see because they are so drunk)

or paying way to much and not being able to hear. Around here, local bands play in the less than pleasurable bars in less than favorable circumstances.


Now, if you live in a big city, that has cool places that allow original music, it might not be too bad, but make sure that it's not a terrible band. There are some horrid bands out there, and you don't want to go see a terrible show that makes you want to shove crochet hooks through your ears.

[Xiuhcoatl]

Hi,
:lol:

hugs

--Pete

*hugs and kisses
Nice to see you alive and kicking! :)

[Tamorrax]

Some of these make me laugh.

40. See an MBA game

"I'm sorry, what? You want us to go watch business students try to out-business each other for sport? Well, SURE! That sounds like soooo much fun!"

This one makes me sad.

55. Visit an animal shelter – you may come home with a new pet

Poor puppy/kitty if the relationship doesn't work out. BAD IDEA!

[Occhidiangela]

First dates that worked well for me:

1. "Meet me at the mall, well have a drink. I will be the guy wearing the puppet shark on my left hand, I have a mustache."

A gal who was set up by a mutual friend, it ends up a blind date and we were an item for about a year. Then I moved. Grrrr.

2. Picnic. In picnic basket put fruit, cheese, crackers, smoked salmon, thin sliced pastrami, wine. Be aware that if it rains, you have an alternate locale with a roof planned, or, you bring a tent and have picnic in the tent.:D This worked for any number of low pressure first dates, and in one case ended up in a great folderol in the tent during a rainshower. Romance, erotica, call it what you like, it was neat.

3. Not a movie.

4. See a Shakespeare play, preferably a funny one. If she dont' like Shakespeare, do you really want to have a second date? :o

5. Golf (but only if you both play)

6. Beach, a bit from the crowd.

7. Back seat of a friend's car. (OK, that's sorta high school, but it was a 64 Impala convertible on a double date. Also good fun. )

8. Cage match ping pong.

Occhi