Dating Advice: Where to make a first date
We asked singles to suggest their favorite places to meet first dates. Here's what we learned:
| 47% |
Play it safe at a coffeehouse
Coffee dates make for great first meetings. First, they're low-key, brief and inexpensive. If things don't work out, you've invested only the time it takes you to drink your cup. If they go well, you can linger in the café over a second cup. Be sure to choose a casual, well-lit coffeehouse that's quiet enough to allow for easy conversation. |
| 28% |
Go for broke at a restaurant
Lunch or dinner dates have slightly higher stakes because of the time and money involved. Dining out automatically implies a level of intimacy that may be inappropriate for meeting someone for the first time. Dining with someone you like is fun. Dining with someone you don't isn't. And do you really want to invest a lot on someone you may not even like? If you must share a meal, choose an establishment that's moderately priced and has an informal dress code. |
| 22% |
Clink glasses at a bar
Meeting for cocktails can be nice, but problematic. Many bars are dimly lit, making it hard to see your date. Some are quite loud after work and on weekends, reducing your ability to talk easily. Needless to say, alcohol can affect your perceptions - potentially skewing your dating perspective. Plus, the scene itself can distract your from your date. If you really want to get drinks, choose a place with good lighting and a small enough crowd for her to feel safe but not smothered. |
3%
1% |
Bravely begin at home
Shoot for the moon at my parents' house
I strongly advise against meeting anyone for the first time anywhere except a very public location. Despite your friendly emails and phone conversations, you don't know each other well enough yet. Plus, men who offer home meetings as an option are often perceived as players. That's not the kind of impression you want to make, is it? |
More tips
Choose a location that's easy to get to.
Perhaps something equidistant from your homes or a place one of you has been dying to try .... Then meet her at the location; do not offer to pick her up. Feel free to mention to her that you're respecting the fact that you're still strangers and trust has yet to be developed between you. When you're done, ask if you can walk her to her car, but don't push the issue. She may still want to guard her privacy.
Show a little originality.
Anybody can suggest meeting at the local coffeehouse, so pick something special. Perhaps the local art museum has a café? Or that funky independent bookstore? If the weather's nice, maybe grab a cup from a sidewalk vendor, find a bench and watch the world go by. Still not sure? Ask your date where she'd like to meet.
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