Do something active that allows for conversation. Things like movies are trash for a first date. You can’t talk, there’s no way to get to know the other person.
Something like a park, or a light hike is ideal. You get to experience something together in a conversational atmosphere. Where I grew up there’s a nice park by the river. It’s well lit, safe, and relatively public; while still being a beautiful place to visit. It helps everyone involved feel safe and gives ample time to chat and see the sights.
I agree. Some may think it’s boring but if you have never met each other a walk in public is a good start. It’s low stress for both and somehow talking feels very natural while walking.
You can plan a circle-route to return to the start. If you’re enjoying yourself, you can sak if your companion wants to continue walking or go for a coffee/drink. It gives them an escape route if they’re not feeling it but if they agree you know that they’re probably enjoying themselves!
I think you should walk together and just talk. The traditional idea of sitting down at a table facing eachother can create a lot of pressure when conversation topics temporarily dies out. If you walk, there are things to observe and talk about all the time. :)
Also you have fewer opportunities to embarrass yourself with your suddenly missing fork-knife-food-interaction skills
Mini golf is great at facilitating a walk and talk vibe if someone needs to do something with their hands.
If I ever become single again. I’ll definitly do that on my first date. Great idea!
When I first met my now wife, we just planned on dinner. My thought was if dinner went well, I’d ask her to go down the street to the local pool hall to continue the night. We ended up eating dinner for 4 hours and were the last to leave the restaurant.
I’m glad we never ended up at the pool hall because it turns out she hated that place lol.
I’d be a bit nervous to do something secluded like a hike or possibly even a walk in the park on a first date (if it’s with a stranger). My husband and I went on our first date to the zoo. Still a walk and talk activity, with plenty of easy conversation and reason for silences. Any museum or botanical garden would be the same vibe I think - plus they’re in public with other people around, so also safe! We ended up going out for dinner after because we were having such a good date and didn’t want it to end!
Grocery shopping for a recipe you then cook together. Or walk in the park
Without knowing where you are, what type of person you are, or what type of person your date is, I’m gonna make a generic suggestion of some sort of class (cooking, pottery, wood turning, stained glass, painting, etc) that look interesting. Something that the two of you can learn together and have fun with.
Butt stuff…
Like sitting down on your butt?
The only two up right now are dinner and an outdoor activity. But I’m a big fan of doing drinks. Every time, server comes up and asks if you want another, saying “no thanks, just the bills” is very polite still. Saying “yes please!” Is enough of a statement.
I dunno. Never been on a drink date that I’ve regretted even if it’s bad, at least it’s 1 drink, and can be a swift or short as you want it to be, and not halfway up a mountain.
I prefer that for a second or third date. I like to be sober for the first. Almost everyone if fun to hang out with when you’re tipsy, so it distorts my impression of them.