Where To Go On A First Date

Back when I was fifteen, deciding where to go on a first date kept me awake at night. Girls were creatures to be feared and even a cinema trip was littered with the risk of choosing another movie as shockingly bad as The Scorpion King.

I hated first dates and in retrospect, I feel like I did everything possible to NOT be asked out, while my friends did the opposite. Not only was high school dating a cringe-worthy affair, likely to spill on to the playground at the first opportunity, but it was also a road to nowhere.

I haven’t bared witness to a single high school romance that didn’t end in tears before or shortly after the final prom dance. Such was the state of affairs with my love life back then, I didn’t even go to my own prom!

Several years on, and thankfully, I’m no longer Googling “first date ideas”. But I know it’s a big concern for a lot of young guys – and girls – so allow me to muddle your mind even further.

Lesson numero uno, the cinema is NOT a fun first date idea! I know there’s something traditionally romantic about taking your sweetheart to the movies and sharing a cup of popcorn while Hollywood does it’s worst on the big screen. But the reality is never as cosy as it sounds. First dates are what I call “icebreakers”.

You’re not going to break any ice while hunched at the back of Odeon wondering if Leonardo DiCaprio has shut his mouth long enough for you to get a word in edge ways. The golden rule of any first date should be to keep it fun, give yourself time to talk, and don’t find yourself sitting in darkness for two hours praying for a way to start a conversation at the credits.

Going for a meal on the first date is tried, tested and a proven method of putting your personalities to the acid test. If it all fizzes out horribly badly, at least you’ll have a steak to munch those sorrows away with. If you’re young and can’t afford to lavish your date with fancy meals in town, there’s no shame in going to Nandos!

Now about Nandos…

My mind goes back to a first date several years ago. After cultivating an image of suave sophistication for the whole week prior – midnight texts qualify, right? – I took my date to Nandos and promptly sat at an unserviced table for 45 minutes before realizing that you’re supposed to go up to the counter to order.

She was amused, but all the wrong kinds of amused. How I squeaked six months out of that relationship is anybody’s guess.

A girl will always appreciate if you take her out to dinner. But if you want to impress her, do your research! A rabbit in the headlights, with not a clue how to order, is probably not such a turn on. Especially if you spill her wine too.

Happy first dating!

Recommended This Week:

• Liked this post? Please feel free to add Dating For LOLs to your RSS reader, or follow DatingForLOLs on Twitter.

• Check out our brand new Dating Directory for honest reviews of various dating sites on the web.