Last week we published an article on 10 great places to take dates in the greater Phoenix area. This week we give examples of places NOT to go on the first few dates. When you head out on a date (and this goes for both men and women) you need to find out if there is a connection between the two of you and if there is potential for a lasting relationship. The last thing you want to do is go on a date in the wrong environment as it can mess up your chances for not only a great time but making a great connection.
This list is meant to be a guide on what NOT to do when planning the introductory dates (dates 1-4) with someone you are interested in. This list will also virtually guarantee the lack of a repeat date and has the potential of labeling you boring or unoriginal.
10 bad places for introductory dates
- Dates that revolve around the “Dinner and…” cliche – This type of date includes ‘Dinner and dancing’, Dinner and a movie’, ‘Dinner and drinks’ and so on. People who take dates out for nights like this are reflecting that they are boring and unoriginal. There’s plenty of time to do these kinds of dates after you are in an established relationship. However, you need to show to your date that you stand out above the crowd with original date ideas. These ideas are supposed to show that not only are you the polar opposite of boring but these ideas are supposed to be a reflection of your creativity in the present and down the road if a relationship is established. ‘Dinner and…’ dates are a direct reflection that you are boring, unimaginative, and aren’t willing to put any care into your dating life….which can lead to your date thinking that you aren’t willing to put any care into them.
- Clubbing – If you’re interested in someone, and you want to take them out on a date, why would you go to a club? I mean it’s loud, not an environment you can use to get to know someone, nor will you be able to show who you are. Going to a club is one of the worst possible possible places to take someone on the first few dates.
- Bars or drinking centric dates – If you need a glass or eight of liquid courage to be able to go on or finish the first few dates, you shouldn’t be dating in the first place.
- Movies – One of the biggest mistakes people make is thinking that going to the movies on a date is an acceptable and valuable practice. It isn’t. In the few hours that you and your date spend together, time that should be spent getting to know each other, you choose to spend it in an environment that you can’t speak to each other until the movie is overwith? Your date has penciled you in because they want to spend time with you and you alone, don’t muck it up by wasting her time with a movie.
- Swimming/Water Parks/Pool Parties – Going to places are swimming related for the first few dates is something that should be avoided for the simple reason that you or your date may be reluctant to shed down to your bathing suits. If a relationship is established down the road, by all means go swimming!
- Concerts – Person #1: SO I GREW UP IN THE MIDWEST!!! Person #2: WHAT?!?!? I CAN’T HEAR YOU?!?!? DID YOU SAY THAT YOU GROW A VEST?!?!?! ’nuff said.
- Church Events – When it comes to the first few dates, your religious beliefs should never be put as a centerpiece or destination for a date. Never. There’s nothing wrong with having a strong religious background or upbringing. However, you want your initial dates to be in a setting that is relaxed, fun and promotes the two of you discovering if you have a connection or not. Talk of religious beliefs and religious dating activities are for later dates.
- Family Events – Do I really need to explain why this is bad for a first date?
- Bringing Friends on your date – If you feel the need to bring a friend on a date, you are going to show your date a severe lack of confidence and that you don’t have any ‘game’ whatsoever. Leave your friends at home. You go out on dates to get to know someone new, not to have a night out with your buddies and a tag a long who happens to be a date.
- Coffee shops – Nothing says that you are boring and unoriginal than taking your date to a long standing cliche like a coffee shop. NOTE: The only exception to this is if you’re in college and you are on a study date.
As with our last dating article, this is not meant to be the written law for dating. This is just a guide for people so they know what not to do when planning the first few dates with people that they are interested in.
Next week at this time: Where to meet people to date in the greater Phoenix area.
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