Why is she asking me to book a hotel in the nearby city?

[Anonymous]

So, I am going on a first date with a girl I have been good friends with for over a year. Since we are already way past the getting-to-know each other phase, we have planned to go to a theater.

Since there is no theater in her town, we will drive to a nearby city for it (of course, the car belongs to her parents). In total, we will spend approximately 8 hours together that day.

Since she leaves a few hours away from my city, it won't be possible for me to return home the same night. So I decided to book a hotel to stay the night as she lives with her parents. However, she suggested I book a hotel in that city instead of in her hometown.

This was her exact sentence: "... and if your plans with the hotel did not change maybe you should search for something in NEARBY CITY NAME instead of HER HOMETOWN 🙈"

Maybe I am just overthinking or reading too much into this, but I am unable to understand the reason behind this suggestion.

[SomewhereElse]

I think the reason for her suggestion is probably quite innocent. Most likely the city she suggested has better/cheaper/more hotels and/or more exciting to wander about by yourself. If I were you, I would ask her for a recommendation of where to stay. You could also ask her why she doesn't recommend her hometown, but I'm pretty sure it will be for a reason like that.

Or maybe she also wants to have a drink with you the evening of your date, but then you couldn't drive back anymore?

[Asker]

I don't think there will be drinking involved because she will be the one driving since I can't. I also think what you suggested could be the reason.

I was just worried thinking she suggested it because she may be expecting something to happen afterward (which I am not yet ready for 😅) and doesn't want to be seen leaving a hotel in her hometown. She is a very private person.

[SomewhereElse]

Oh, I see! That could also be a reason for sure, but should be easy enough to say goodnight politely in the lobby :)

[Googlemyahoo]

Probably because her towns tiny? If it doesn’t have a theatre

[Asker]

Her town has approximately 45k population and they do have a theater, but it is not playing the show we wanted to watch!