Your First Date Guide

You’ve been chatting for over a week now, even exchanged emails.  It’s now time for the true test: the first date. For those of you who are online serial daters, we know already that no amount of online communication is entirely first-date fool proof.  The chemistry may change or evolve for better or for worse, but we have to take that leap to ever find out.  Save the romantic full course meal or day trip of hiking in the country for once you are better acquainted. Keeping the first date simple and enjoyable is key.

An outdoor festival or sports match

Going to an outdoor music festival, parade or community event is fantastic because it let’s you talk. You can get to know each other at the same time, unlike a movie where you would have to be silent the entire time. Extra points if you both somehow get to participate in the event somehow. Keeping the date on an active note is a great way to enjoy some excitement together, let your guard down and share a few laughs.

Coffee Shop

Meeting at your local Starbucks during the day allows for a low-key encounter and no pressure of continuing the date further if things don’t click. Meeting during the day allows for this as well and gives you room to go for a meal somewhere together after, if by chance things are going well.

Museum

Going to a museum is a fantastic way to get to know your date without the potential of awkwardly sitting in front of each other. It’s great for the shyer types or for those who prefer to not sit in a forced conversation context. Strolling through a museum gives you something to talk about and may even provide you further insight into his character.  Nothing like a Pop Art exhibit or some awesome archeological finding to grab your attention for a sweet escape should things not go according to plan.

A food, beer or wine festival

Again, something that provides you lots of inspiration to keep the conversation going, your feet walking and interacts you within a stimulating shared experience.  There is nothing like sampling all different types of foods to keep the conversation spicy, pun half intended. If by chance you are a klutz like myself, we recommend moving on to other ideas that don’t involve alcohol, flimsy paper plates and gravity. Humility is also charming though.

A walk

Going for a walk can be an awesome first date and keeps the itinerary open. You can mosey on wherever your feet take you, perhaps even for a quick bite somewhere, window shopping or watch street performers. Planning for a short walk with a coffee to go is a great first date item for someone you aren’t so sure of, but want to give a chance. You aren’t stuck for a full course meal somewhere and telepathically trying to get the waiter to save you from the torture of watching your date pick his teeth and talk about themself for two hours. Note to self- Learn from one’s mistakes.

Final advice, experience is tried and tested, so get creative. What works good for someone else may not be the same for you. Give these tips a try if you are ever stuck and always feel free to simply follow your heart.