First dates can be daunting for anyone. There are countless articles detailing ways to have a successful first date, such as what to wear, what to say and how to act. However, sometimes the most important detail can be overlooked: the location.
The first thing that needs to be considered is the environment. Most students agree that a casual setting is best for a first date.
“I would much rather have a casual first date,” senior Kimberly Schonhorst said. “The big sit-down dinners are just too intimidating.”
“Casual” can mean a number of things, from the actual location of the date to the ambiance that is associated with it.
“I think a cook-out or something in a group setting takes a lot of the pressure off of the pair and lets them be themselves,” junior Sade Marshall said.
To help decide on a good spot for a successful date, it is important to pick something that helps people get to know one another.
“It would be nice to do something that is important to one of the people on the date,” Marshall said. “It shows the person that you are interested in learning about them and what they do.”
If all else fails, try something unique to make the date stand out as a memorable experience in the significant other’s mind.
“Every Monday at Preston and Frankford, food trucks set up in a parking lot,” senior Ben Wright said. “There is such a variety of food and people that it makes for a really fun evening.”
Once all of the arrangements have been made and everything is in place, remember that this date could be the start of a life-long relationship. It is important to treat this experience with care and respect.
“I expect my date to be very polite, and have a great sense of humor,” Marshall said. “He will probably have to meet my dad and have me home by 10.”
A good idea to help lessen the pressure of a date is to call a day or so in advance to make sure the date is still happening. This puts both people at ease and calms their fear of being stood up.
“A boy has to show me respect in all aspects of the date,” Marshall said.
