Why do people do "dinner and movie" dates? It's so cliché, why don't you think outside the box?

[LaurenNC84]

So I've thought about it and it seems we always dread the first date of going to dinner with someone and being afraid of eating in front of them, or having food in your teeth, or something on your mouth...right? I just think it's not only dreadful but boring...its the same thing over and over and I like variety and imagination! Also, the whole movie thing...you can't talk during a movie, and unless you know the guy well or you're just so into each other you're not going to cuddle up at first (usually). Am I the only one who thinks like this or what? What are some of your different first time dates? Where did you go or take the girl/guy?

Updates

+1 y

So, I wouldn't mind the shooting range, driving range (if the guy can play golf), putt putt, even fishing because I like fishing, the fair, petting zoo, regular zoo, sporting event, umm anything fun!

[gotc147]

Oh I could think of a number of fun dating ideas, the problem is on the first date you're best off trying to stay traditional just to see if you're into the person.

For example, I like to go a shooting range and I remember reading somewhere that it's acctually a good idea for a date. But think about it, a guy you barely know taking you to a place with loaded guns and live ammo? Best to stay away from that at first.

Another idea I heard from this same source was hiking. You have a similar problem here, you and he are alone and you barely know him.

Both are actually good date ideas if you ask me, but not for initial dates.

[LaurenNC84]

A shooting range would be fun...lol its not like you're the only 2 there!...I agree with the hiking part but if you somewhat know the person and its not like meeting someone off the net, it shouldn't be that bad :-)

[loddo]

i agree with you, dinner and a movie is not a good plan for a first date. like you said, you can't talk or anything during the movie and dinner can be awkward. my first date with my fiancee was meeting at the downtown farmers market one morning. not saying its the best idea ever, but at least we could talk and had something to do while we walked around. you can learn a lot about a person watching them interact with strangers. I remember being impressed by how patience and respectful she was but that she bargained with the vendors like a pro. good luck.

[LaurenNC84]

Lol @ the farmers market date...but see that's cute and way different

[philosophersdilemma]

Yeah... It's really cliche. But it serves its purpose for several reasons, I think. For one thing, it's incredibly cheap to do dinner and a date, and it's a good insurance for getting to know someone. Talking during dinner, followed by a movie that the both of you choose. It's a beginning, really. Alternative dates are better, but I think people stick with the classic because they know it works.

I've been biking, bowling, ice skating, picnic-ing, and just walking around under the starry skies, finding somewhere grassy to lay down and talk. I think any activity dates are always the most thrilling for me.

[LaurenNC84]

Dinner and a date isn't really all that cheap anymore though...each movie ticket is around 9.00 and then unless you go to McDonalds lol your meal will probably run around $30 at least and that's at a basic restaurant...thats $48 at just guessing prices.

[NMMan]

I think you're absolutely right - in our general age group, not only is dating creativity suffering but so is dating in general. A lot of people our age would rather hang out and hook up, than actually invest time and energy into getting to know someone and building something together. In addition, creative daters who devise unique plans full of ingenuity are few and far between. They have an edge in the dating world for their thoughtfulness, and rightly so.

[spyderman]

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