If your guilty pleasure is watching The Bachelor (or Bachelorette) and a part of the reason is because you secretly fantasize about going on extravagant dates, you don’t have to go out on a casting call in order to make that happen. There are actually affordable and professional matchmaking companies that will not only create a date of your dreams, but with a person that you won’t have to share with a bunch of other people. One of those companies happens to be Tawkify. Check ‘em out when you get a chance.
Then, once you connect with someone that you feel you’d like to get to know better, we recommend that you take this article into serious consideration. Since going on dates is all about getting to know someone better, we think it’s always a good idea to go on several different kinds. Sure, restaurants are cool; they’re top on our list, actually. But it’s been our experience that different settings can bring about different sides of an individual’s personality.
So, what should be the top dates on your list? Here are our six recommendations:
Restaurant. Restaurants are a good idea, especially for the first or second date, for a few reasons. One, it’s public enough for you to feel safe while also being intimate enough to engage in conversation. Two, you can learn a lot about their manners and etiquette; not just when it comes to what they do at the table but also how they treat the wait staff. It’s also a non-pressuring way to start to find out some of their personal likes and dislikes. Hey, we’ve all got to eat, right? Food tends to reveal a lot about a person.
Movies. Some people don’t like the thought of going to movies on a date because they feel that it’s not conducive to being able to spend any quality time. After all, you’re supposed to be so quiet in the movies that even your smartphone should be turned off. The reason why we like it, though, is because it’s a great way to find out how your date is when it comes to being intimate and especially giving public displays of affection. For the record, this is also why we don’t think it’s the best kind of first date. You don’t know them well enough to be intimate yet. But after three or so dates, if you feel like you want to kiss or cuddle, movie theaters are the best kind of set up.
Concert. Here’s another way to find out what makes them tick and what doesn’t. Musical tastes also reveal a lot about a person. Plus, if you like who you’re seeing so much that you want to introduce them to a family member or a few friends, this is a casual way to do it without them feeling like the spotlight is awkwardly on them. Also, live concerts are a lot of fun, so you’ll get to see if they have a “fancy-free” side to them. (Always a bonus!)
Outdoor date. OK, this particular suggestion pretty much runs the gamut because of all of the good reasons why it’s wise to go on an outdoor date. Take a picnic, for example. Being that they aren’t super-expensive, anyone who is down for one tends to give the impression that spending time with you is more important than how much money a date costs. Plus, it’s definitely in the Top Ten in the romance department. Then there’s going hiking or bike riding. If you’re big on physical fitness, this is a good way to find out if you’re both compatible in this area. And kayaking, parasailing, zip-lining, paddle boarding, etc.? This reveals the spontaneous and semi-daring side of someone. If that’s important to you, definitely suggest one of these types of activities. Trust us, it will reveal…a lot. Before, during and after the date is over!
Coffee shop. You need to feel like the person you’re with is someone with whom conversation simply and easily flows. What better way to discover that than in a coffee shop? One of the best things about this kind of date is coffee shops tend to be a lot more “chilled out” when it comes to how long people wish to stay there. So long as you order something to warm to drink and perhaps a pastry, you can sit across from each other for hours on end if you want. And during that time, discover so much about one another.
Road Trip. If you’re someone who thinks that road trips should be reserved for more serious---perhaps exclusive---relationships, we totally respect that. At the same time, we’re all for couples going on a road trip after around the fifth date, even if it’s only a day trip. Spending hours together in a car forces you to see how you handle things like traffic, getting lost and traveling to new destinations. Yeah, two people who think they are headed down Lover’s Lane should definitely (DEFINITELY) take a road trip!
Camping. Nothing really brings out someone’s survival skills, and sometimes not-so-sunny disposition, like camping does. For instance, if it rains the first day or so, you’ll see how your date handles disappointment. Plus, being that camping calls for more of a “rustic” approach to life, you can also see their not-so-glamorous side which is a good thing. If they are willing to reveal their natural state, you will get to know more about their real selves. And from that, a true relationship can begin. All from camping? Yep. We’ve see it happen time and time again!