What's a good first date?

[OhhJim]

Jenster says to start threads. I hear and obey.

What's a good thing to do on a first date, assuming you:

A. Don't know the other person that well

B. Are a mature adult with more life experience

C. Don't want to get too close, too soon?

I'm assuming both people are Christians. When I was younger, I would routinely take a woman to a nice restaurant on a first date. Now I can see that that might put pressure on her and make her feel uncomfortable.

 

[country woman]

I would go for a coffee at say Starbucks or out for a walk. Nothing to heavy or too long

 

[faithopelove]

I personally like to get to know a person by phone first.
At least a few calls to see whats up. I've learned the hard way to check out the basics before checking out the chemistry. Then I like the idea of coffee (or in my case ice cream) or some simple meal would be nice. I've also had first dates at the Pecan Festival (a craft fair here in Austin) where you can walk and talk and eat finger foods (I'm getting hungry).

 

[~HopeFloats~]

Do a fun and new activity, it takes the stress off just sitting there talking and then go for coffee or whatever after.

I find it is a good Ice Breaker.

The date I most felt comfortable and not stressed on was a day of paintball and then Booster Juice.

 

[country woman]

yea that's info. you don't want a bad experince

 

[Irascible]

Not that I would know but aquariums (big ones like Monterey Bay), museums, exploratoriums, planetariums, arboretums, observatories, exhibits, galleries, the zoo and whatever other egghead fun you can think of might work. They'd serve to stir conversation as long as both are interested in such things.

 

[covenantwmn]

Not that I would know but aquariums (big ones like Monterey Bay), museums, exploratoriums, planetariums, arboretums, observatories, exhibits, galleries, the zoo and whatever other egghead fun you can think of might work. They'd serve to stir conversation as long as both are interested in such things.

LOVE Monterey Bay aquarium!!! Love Monterey Bay period. Great idea!!

 

[Jenster]

... I've also had first dates at the Pecan Festival (a craft fair here in Austin) where you can walk and talk and eat finger foods (I'm getting hungry).

Ya mean the Pecan Festival isn't about ... pecans? I'm so disappointed!

 

[Jenster]

Yeah, I agree with everybody. It's good to do low-pressure activities first. If someone may be shy, it's good to do something in which the focus is not strictly on each other: play tennis, go to an art & wine festival, etc. Then catch a drink afterwards, so you can talk a bit more seriously.

I wouldn't suggest going to a movie. Besides the fact the two of you aren't talking to each other, it raises uncomfortable possibilities, like one person might try to make a move on the other person under the cover of darkness.

 

[Jenster]

Not that I would know but aquariums (big ones like Monterey Bay), museums, exploratoriums, planetariums, arboretums...

...sanitariums, gynasiums, mausoleums, coliseums, The Palladium, Dodger Stadium, Belgium ...

 

[Irascible]

...sanitariums, gynasiums, mausoleums, coliseums, The Palladium, Dodger Stadium, Belgium ...

Sanitariums?! (*raises supercilium* Hmm. She must be suffering from delirium.)

 

[Tumbleweed64]

Anything that we would both have a good time at without too much expectations... say an afternoon at the zoo or a festival going on somewhere close or a night at the Monster Truck rallies, or even meet at the park for lunch I know men as general hating getting all dressed up for what could possibly be a disasterous evening, and to honest, I hate it too

 

[OhhJim]

Not that I would know but aquariums (big ones like Monterey Bay), museums, exploratoriums, planetariums, arboretums, observatories, exhibits, galleries, the zoo and whatever other egghead fun you can think of might work. They'd serve to stir conversation as long as both are interested in such things.

Good call. I love that sort of thing, too. I've been to the Monterey Aquarium a couple times, myself.

I like doing things that are out of the ordinary. I'm a big fan of ethnic restaurants. Ethiopian food (yes, I know, there are many potential bad jokes there, and I've made most of them) is one of my favorites. Most ethnic restaurants aren't all that fancy, so it's fairly low-pressure. Of course, I live in a great place to find unusual restaurants.

 

[Jenster]

Sanitariums?! (*raises supercilium* Hmm. She must be suffering from delirium.)

ROFL!! Too funny, 'Ras.

 

[Solaris]

We got together with other people and went shooting hundreds of rounds with different types of firearms at Valentiens day toys and stuffed animals.

We played Mondo Croquette.

We went of a three hour treasure hunt through the crowds in San Francisco on Chinese New Years day.

We went to a mideval martial arts tournament.

I have had some wonderful first dates with great guys.

 

[Mark2010]

Yeah, I agree with everybody. It's good to do low-pressure activities first. If someone may be shy, it's good to do something in which the focus is not strictly on each other: play tennis, go to an art & wine festival, etc. Then catch a drink afterwards, so you can talk a bit more seriously.

I wouldn't suggest going to a movie. Besides the fact the two of you aren't talking to each other, it raises uncomfortable possibilities, like one person might try to make a move on the other person under the cover of darkness.

Now WHO would do something like that??

 

[Gimpy]

Sanitariums?! (*raises supercilium* Hmm. She must be suffering from delirium.)

I cvould use a good sanitarium right about now.

 

[jcj3803]

Depending on how well you know the person ahead of time, group activities can be good. Takes the one-on-one pressure off and you can see how they interact in a broader social setting. And if he/she is a dud, it's much less painful with other folks to distract you.

Otherwise, outdoor activities, festivals, etc. are good.

Avoid movies. Gives you an excuse to NOT talk to each other.

 

[Gimpy]

I like going to a play or a movie. Gives us an excuse not to talk. But afterwards we have plenty to talk about.

 

[Bridgit]

We got together with other people and went shooting hundreds of rounds with different types of firearms at Valentiens day toys and stuffed animals.

We played Mondo Croquette.

We went of a three hour treasure hunt through the crowds in San Francisco on Chinese New Years day.

We went to a mideval martial arts tournament.

I have had some wonderful first dates with great guys.

Wow, that sounds great!

I think it's good to choose an activity that does not put pressure on anybody and where both feel comfy about and enjoy themselves doing it, like skating, putt putt golf, going to a market/fair ......