A Guy's Guide to Dating
Dating never ends, even when you get hitched. In fact the ‘in vogue’ thing for couples these days is to set apart one night a week as ‘date night’. That’s 52 nights a year when you need to find something to do.
So, whether it’s with your partner of many years or you are just embarking on a new relationship, you’ll find you’re still faced with a bit of a dilemma. Where to go? Somewhere ‘safe’, but perhaps a bit too familiar, or somewhere new and exciting? Well, chaps, here to help is my guide to possible date venues.
Cinema
Pros: It's dark so you can get 'romantic'; films are great; you don't have to talk (which is good if talking ain’t your thing)
Cons: Yawn, it's a bit of a hackneyed idea; you really shouldn't talk (even if you want to); you may have to watch a girls’ film instead of something good; it costs an arm and a leg these days especially if you buy popcorn and a coke
Kev K rating: KK (2/10) – seriously? You can’t think of anything more original than that?
Dinner out
Pros: Food; it’s a standard ‘date’ option; opportunity to chat
Cons: It’s still considered good etiquette to pick up the bill; you have to go somewhere ‘nice’ (not Maccy-Ds); she may think you eat like a pig and dump you
Kev K rating: KKK (3/10) – dressing up in your best gear and then spending the night trying not to drop your food down you can be hard work!
Picnic in the park
Pros: Fresh air; flowers; mown grass; perfect for a lazy summer’s day
Cons: Having to lug a coolbox three quarters of a mile from your car; not having the right equipment (one friend of mine set up their picnic complete with a cheesecake, but didn’t have a knife!); wasps; ants; hay fever; having to lug a coolbox three quarters of a mile back to your car…
Kev K rating: KKKKK (5/10) – shows a bit of effort and planning
"Coffee"
Pros: Starbucks and its ilk can be nice relaxing places to hang out; it’s informal; you can suss out whether your date is normal or extra-fussy when they order their latte; good place to chat and get to know each other
Cons: Have you seen how much coffee costs in those places? Don’t even get me started on the price of muffins!
Kev K rating: KKKKKKK (7/10) – if your wallet can take the hit it’s a bit more relaxed which means you can relax a bit
Long walk in the country
Pros: Fresh air, exercise releases your endorphins and makes you feel even more in love, opportunity to chat (if you feel like it)
Cons: Rain, mad farm animals, mud, exhausting traipsing around trying to find your car, irate farmers
Kev K rating: KKKKK (5/10) – it’s 50/50 whether you’ll end up loving this or hating it
Football match
Pros: It’s a football match(!); she’ll meet your mates
Cons: She’ll meet your mates(!); needing to be on your best behaviour; she probably won’t be fussed on a half-time pie; you may have different team loyalties (awkward!); she may like football more than you do and shout in your ear all game
Kev K rating: K (1/10) – you can’t really win on this one
Balloon Ride
Pros: It’s unusual; it could be kind of romantic; the view is awesome
Cons: You’re in a confined space together a long way above the ground
Kev K rating: KKKKKKK (7/10) – although dependent on the depth of your wallet!
Watching a sunset
Pros: Cheap; soul-stirring; definitely classed as romantic
Cons: After a while even the prettiest sunset gets a bit boring; you can only do it a few times; you may have to have a plan for what to do next as sunsets don’t take very long
Kev K rating: KKKKKK (6/10) – great, but you need a game plan for after dark
Conclusion
To sum up what makes a good date then: Choose your surroundings well. Pick someplace you can talk, but try to have an activity together to focus on too. Turn your phone off. Concentrate on what they are saying. And above all don’t flirt with the waitress while your date’s right there. Trust me; it’s not a good idea!
Written by Kev Kennedy. Posted on 25th February.
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