50 First Date Ideas
Are you stuck in a rut going to dinner and a movie on every first date? Here are 50 other ideas for that all-important first outing that will broaden your first date horizons.
- Go to a local art, science, or history museum
- Have an Italian picnic with wine, cheese, bread, and olives
- Visit the zoo
- Go bowling
- Attend a festival
- Have a champagne brunch
- Attend a local event such as a fundraising party, gallery opening, or a grand opening party
- Go to an amusement park
- Go for a bike ride
- See a play or a musical
- Take a cooking class
- See a local band perform
- Go to a frozen yogurt or ice cream shop
- Play miniature golf
- Go to the aquarium
- Visit a new restaurant for lunch
- Visit a farmers market
- Hang out at a park
- Go to a dinner theater
- Have drinks at a bar or restaurant
- Visit a botanical garden
- Take a wine tasting class
- Play Frisbee golf
- Go dancing
- Attend a sporting event
- Go to a flea market
- Create art together at a make-your-own pottery studio
- Go ice skating
- Visit a local tourist attraction
- Take a walk
- See a matinee
- Attend a book reading or poetry reading
- Play tennis
- Volunteer together
- Visit a coffee shop
- Go to the ballet or opera house
- Go for a hike
- Go horseback riding
- Visit a winery or brewery
- Go to a racetrack
- Fly kites
- Rent a canoe or paddleboat
- Take a painting class
- Hang out at the beach
- Visit a planetarium
- Play pool
- Visit an arcade
- See a comedy show
- Play bingo
- Go roller skating
Flowers Never Go Out of Style
A flower's appeal is in its contradictions - so delicate in form yet strong in fragrance, so small in size yet big in beauty, so short in life yet long on effect. ~Adabella Radici
Gentlemen, when was the last time you bought flowers for the special woman in your life? Whether it is a first date or your wife of twenty years, giving your sweetheart flowers is a classic romantic gesture that shows her you care. For a small amount of money, you can make her day.
I’ve heard some men say that they would rather give a woman a practical gift than a bouquet of roses, but flowers have a purpose that has nothing to do with utility. Flowers look and smell beautiful, and they make a woman feel special and appreciated.
If you are bringing flowers to your first date, or someone you don’t know that well yet, don’t intimidate them with a dozen roses or a massive arrangement. A few daisies or a small seasonal bouquet is more appropriate.
Don’t just buy her flowers for special occasions. Surprise her with a bouquet just because, to let her know that she was on your mind when you were apart.
Lessons Learned From a Bad First Date
A friend of mine recently went on a pretty miserable first date, and I thought I’d share her bad experience to point out some dating don’ts. You might also get a few laughs out of the story like I did.
She met the man at a bar, and they barely talked to each other before her friends made her give him her number. While talking on the phone later that week, he asked her to dinner. He insisted on picking her up, and she relented after he insisted.
Once he picked her up for their date, he told her he had forgotten his wallet and would she mind if they stopped at his house to pick it up. She didn’t feel comfortable with this since she barely knew him, but said ok anyway. He then gave her the tour of his house, and at this point she knew this was no love match. His living room and bedroom were covered in Star Wars posters and action figures, much like Andy in “The 40 Year-Old Virgin.” Now, I understand there are some ladies out there who would not be bothered by this, but my friend is not one of them.
Next, the two shared an awkward dinner at a chain restaurant. They did not have much in common, and she was ready to call it a night. Instead, he insisted they go to his favorite karaoke bar. Since she is much nicer than I am, she finally agreed when he wouldn’t let it go. Remember, he was her ride so she felt stuck. The karaoke bar was even more painful than dinner. He sang bad song after bad song with little talent and even less personality, hardly sitting with her at all.
Finally, my friend’s bad night was going to end. When they arrived at her place, he shifted the gear to park and asked if he could kiss her. She told him that she doesn’t kiss on the first date (a little white lie), thanked him for the evening, and tried not to sprint to her door.
What can we learn from this dating disaster?
- Meet your first date at a public place if you don’t know them well. It’s a lot easier and safer to get out of bad situations if you have your own transportation.
- Never go to someone’s house on a first date. You could find yourself in an unsafe predicament, and you might learn too much too soon about your date.
- Let your freak flag fly by all means, but it’s better to share it once you know someone better.
- On a date, pay attention to verbal and nonverbal communication. If your date doesn’t seem interested in continuing the date, don’t try to pressure the person. You are not going to pressure someone into liking you.
- Don’t put on a performance on a first date, and force your date to watch you for an extended period of time. A first date is for getting to know each other as people, not performers.
- Gentlemen, don’t ask a woman for a first kiss. This is a big turn-off. A woman will let you know with her body language if she wants a kiss, so tune in to how she responds to you and go from there.
- Dating is an awkward adventure, and most of us have to endure some bad dates between the really good ones. Keep a sense of humor about it all, and have fun out there!
5 Topics to Avoid on a First Date
First dates are meant for getting to know someone enough to decide if you want to see them again, not for uncovering all the good, bad, and ugly things about each other right from the start. Your date is just trying to see if you two might be compatible and if there is chemistry between you, so keep conversation relatively light. Avoid the following 5 topics on a first date, and you may well be on your way to a second date.
1. Your ex
Do not bring up your ex. If your date brings up the subject, it’s best to gloss over the relationship without divulging all the sordid details. Keep in mind that your date does not want to hear the whole story of your relationship and why it didn’t work out. A date is not a therapy session! Furthermore, resist the urge to speak negatively of your ex, even if they were positively heinous. This just makes you seem bitter and is a big turn-off. On the other hand, don’t gush about how great your ex was, because this gives the impression that you have not moved on. They may also wonder if they could ever live up to the ex in your mind.
2. Health issues
Unless you have a condition that is absolutely necessary for you to share right away with your date, do not talk about your medical problems on a first date. People want to have uplifting conversation on a first date, and a rundown of your physical or even mental ailments do not fit into that category.
3. Financial Difficulties
In our current economy, many people are experiencing financial hardships. However, a first date is not the time to discuss any financial difficulties you may be facing. It’s best to display a positive attitude about your situation and not get into detail about this subject.
4. Sex
Do not bring up this topic with someone you don’t know that well. The conversation has the potential to be awkward, and does not send the message that you are looking for a serious relationship. Zip it.
5. Politics and Religion
Your mother always told you that it’s bad manners to talk about religion or politics at the dinner table. As a general rule, this applies to first dates too.
