Imagine the scenario: You’ve got a first date lined up with someone new. You’ve exchanged a flurry of texts and even have an inside joke. Now, the pressure is on to make a good impression. Where should you go? What should you do? A regular dinner date just won’t cut it. Luckily, I have some rather “creative” suggestions that may just blow your mind.
Embarking on an Intense Hiking Adventure
Sweat can be sexy, right? But think about your date, especially if she’s a woman, dripping in sweat after an arduous trek up steep hills. It’s not the worst date idea, but it’s also not ideal. It complicates plans for the rest of the date. What do you do after sweating it out on a trail? Freshen up with towels? You haven’t even been intimate yet! What comes next? Changing into your everyday attire while you’re still drenched in sweat? This idea is a recipe for disaster.
Consider saving strenuous activities for a second or third date, or perhaps even after you’ve become intimate.
Navigating Through Heavy Traffic
Sounds vague, right? Generally, it’s accepted that you meet your date in a secure and public location. Traffic, however, is universally disliked. So, factor in potential congestion when planning your meet-up.
Once, I had a date where a trip that should have taken 15 minutes turned into a 40-minute ordeal due to traffic. A smarter move would have been to meet directly at our destination or use a ride-sharing service, allowing us to engage in conversation without the distraction of dodging cars on the highway.
Choosing a Violent Movie for a Peace-Loving Date
Typically, movies are a poor choice for a first date. But if you insist, at least ensure the genre aligns with your date’s sensibilities. If your date is a pacifist, opting for films like Hotel Rwanda, The Raid 2, or John Wick could ruin the evening. The problem is not just that these movies depict violence; it’s that you’re clearly not attuned to your date’s values.
Additional tip: If your date is a feminist, avoid sharing videos that could be considered demeaning towards women. A bad move? Sending her a clip featuring gratuitous violence at the expense of women. Just don’t do it.
Taking Your Date to Your Regular Spot… Where You Take All Your Dates!
This is more common in smaller towns with limited date venues. However, in big cities like Los Angeles, it’s inexcusable to keep returning to the same spot.
A friend once shared that he frequented a particular venue in Orange County for multiple dates. On one occasion, an ex-girlfriend was there, and she wasn’t shy about airing his dirty laundry in front of his current date, ruining the evening.
Better First Date Ideas That Are Actually Enjoyable
The aim of a first date is to learn more about the other person, maybe even stepping outside your comfort zone. So here are some first-date activities that actually make sense:
Learn something new together. Whether it’s a cooking class or a symphony performance, engaging in an activity where one can impart knowledge can be a fun experience.
Tour a site that interests both of you. Whether it’s a museum or architectural landmarks, you’ll both learn something new while spending quality time together.
Engage in playful competition. Many pubs and bars now have board games available. Playing a game while having drinks can be an excellent way to break the ice and enjoy some light-hearted fun.
