Now, there can be many different types of first dates. There are blind dates, double dates, “We just had a one-night stand and I don’t want to look like a douche in front of our mutual friends” dates, “I really like you and I finally gained the courage to ask you out” dates, romantic dates, casual coffee dates and the list continues for as long as I choose to make stuff up. Obviously there is a stigma attached to these types of dates and you are probably not going to have the same conversation while sipping on an overpriced Grande Carmel Reverse Cowgirl Mocha Cappuccino (Get on that Starbucks?) as you are while enjoying a hearty steak dinner at a five star restaurant. So while you may be inclined to just go take her to do whatever pops into your head first, it is important to understand that similar to A Midsummer Night’s Dream or another Shakespeare play that I can’t understand, the setting is a very important aspect that can affect the overall plot. So let’s break it down.
1. Coffee Shops
A quiet, relaxing, quaint environment that allows even the most immature to showcase some amount of sophistication. While coffee shops may not provide for the most exciting first date, there are some definite aspects that make it a popular place to pre-bone. For instance, not sure if you like her? Feel like you won’t have anything to talk about after you ask how her thanksgiving break went? Go get coffee! If it is going well there is always the opportunity to relocate, but on the other hand, if she starts talking about her Instagram photos and you want to make a quick getaway you can always make a creative and believable exit. Maximum flexibility and minimum stress. A perfect first date.
2. Movies
Are you socially awkward? Do you have trouble striking up a conversation and often times find yourself lip-syncing to Bruno Mars in public? Skip all the small talk. This date is for you. Movies act as an automatic conversation starter, plus, how the fuck can you pass up the opportunity to get sour patch kids? Cliché, yet, entertaining, sit back and enjoy while the movie does all the work for you.
3. Home-Cooked Meals
While admittedly this is a rather bold strategy, with high risk comes high reward. If you feel more comfortable than Honey Boo Boo at a Golden Corral then this is definitely the way to go. Everything is better in the comfort of your own home. You can turn heads with your cooking skills and even throw on a movie if you are feeling crazy, I don’t know, dude, it’s your life. The best part is that you don’t even have to leave your house, which lowers the chance of anything negative occurring that isn’t the result of a pregnancy test.
4. Concerts
There is truly nothing better than finding someone who likes to let loose and have a good time and concerts are the perfect forum to do so. Slightly more interactive than just watching a movie, concerts can create lasting impressions and will help your date associate you with positive memories. That’s science. This is also a good way to impress your date by showing your thoughtfulness while at the same time letting them know that you are interested in them. Surely, a few hours and a couple DMB tour shirts later you will be making sweet sweet music with your bodies. I’m talking about sex.
5. Hiking
Yeah, I hate exercise, too, but believe it or not, hiking makes for a great first date. You are creating an experience that will never be quite the same with each other while at the same time showing that you are adventurous and most likely love trail mix. These are both great qualities that I personally look for in a girl. Hiking allows for plenty of conversation, humor and also lets you reflect on your environment. Just kidding we’re men we don’t have feelings. No reflecting.
So, while it is true that as you become increasingly comfortable with your partner the amount of dating related stress you feel should decrease, in this world we live in first impressions are everything and while we like to believe that our personalities along with our great looks will control and compensate for any given situation at hand and thus the outcome that emerges, the environment and activity of a first date can play heavily into the future of the relationship.
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