First dates are a little bit amazing. The excitement! The butterflies! The fun of getting all dressed up! But they’re also a little bit stressful… The uncertainty, the awkward silences, the hassle of getting all dressed up.
I would wager that a large major of the anxiety associated with a first date comes from how many questions will be swimming around in your head before, during and after it happens. While there’s no way to completely nix those first date nerves, making a few educated guesses about your dude’s mindset and preferences based on what activity/venue he chooses for the date can help you figure out important things about him. Oh, and social media stalking. That helps too.
If he suggests: Beers at the sports bar you frequent
He is: Stable, predictable and probably a harmless guy. All good things, right? Sure…unless you consider the fact that if this is his first date choice, he probably isn’t the most interesting person in the world. He probably doesn’t like trying new foods, traveling or fancy places. His life is all about routine and a relationship with him will be drama-free (but maybe passion-free).
If he suggests: Dinner at a hole-in-wall restaurant
He is: Basically the opposite of the guy who chooses beers at a sports bar. He’ll be unpredictable, he’ll have a sense of wanderlust, he might end up being sort of flaky. Still, this dude will be incredibly interesting. He’ll value great experiences, he’ll like good books and good movies and he will teach you a lot about the world. He’ll also make awesome conversation and introduce you to all kinds of delicious new foods and cute little places. The downside? He’ll probably judge you for watching reality TV.
If he suggests: ‘Cocktails’ at a swanky lounge
He is: Ambitious, sophisticated and maybe a little bit materialistic. He prides himself on being ‘in the know’ and would never drink beer out of a can. He’s not afraid to shell out on a nice meal, a designer shirt or a top-shelf bottle of liquor. He will probably be well-dressed and refined and seem much older than he is. Your guy friends will probably find him incredibly douchey and once you get over how cool his lifestyle is….you might, too.
If he suggests: A movie at his place
He is: Not looking for a relationship. The same explanation applies to the guy who wants to ‘cook for you’ on your first date. Look, even if he’s broke he should take you out for coffee, a picnic or even a long walk. I mean, yes, exceptions happen but if you’re going on a ‘date’ with a guy and he shoots you a last minute text telling you to just come by his place, chances are he is just trying to hook up with you. If that’s what you want, go for it and have fun! If you want a relationship with this dude, on the other hand, be careful. The first few dates should not happen at his place.
If he suggests: Dinner at a nice-ish restaurant:
He is: Probably the best option of all these guys. The one who wants to take you to a restaurant that’s nice but not over-the-top fancy is the balanced guy. He’s down to earth but he wants to go out of his way to impress you. He likes the finer things in life but he’s also practical. Bonus points if he made the reservation a few days in advance (and orders a bottle of wine at dinner.)
