To not want to ‘sit in the park’ on a second date?

Is he? I thought it was just to get to know each other.

I would be open minded and give him the chance. It will give you some insight more than anything.

first off you haven't had any successful relationships as you are currently single.
It may be something nice that you will enjoy if you just give it a go. It could be the start of an actual successful relationship

Hmm, sadly his suggestion lacks imagination he's already met you for a first date so should have some ideas of what would appeal to you. Nothing wrong with a park/walk/coffee etc but which park for starters ? Men should ALWAYS consider that women will be more safety conscious and should at least be proposing somewhere that she would feel at ease. Personally I would put it back to him about what he is proposing and this will give some indicators if he has thought the basic aforementioned point first. Again, what if it's pissing down or does during the meet up ? It does feel a bit ill thought through/low effort. So much as I love parks/the outdoors I would proceed with caution....

Have you considered... suggesting an alternative?!

Tell him Covid restrictions finished a good while ago!

Go was the date OP?

@LookOverHere so.....
Did you go to the park?

I find it incredibly sad that sitting in parks is seen by some as for teenagers. When do you get too old to enjoy a warm day in a place where you're not sitting cheeky by jowl with others, having trees around you, listening to birdsong and maybe even seeing a nice view? I quite regularly go to watch sunset with my partner at a local park, and it does make me sad that we're amongst the oldest there. What are the other non parents doing that is better than appreciating the splendour of a summer sunset?

If the weather's due to be crap for this date then that's a different issue, but so many people seem to be against spending time in parks full stop and I do wonder how much nature connection they're missing out on. Also find the idea of a restaurant on a second date utterly bizarre, it's way too early to be investing that sort of money and being in that formal a setting.

Same!

@LookOverHere how's the love-life going?

I don't think OP is coming back. Surely she would have been on the date by now or not.

Shame as I would have liked to have known if she did go and how it panned out!

I met a guy on a dating app, 1st time we went for coffee in a coffee shop, the 2nd time we went out we met up at this cafe in local botanical garden and sat and watched the rain from the covered seating area, the next time we met up for coffee at a lake. We always did things like that. I loved it, it is the sort of things I do myself, and he also cycled to them. We both enjoyed being outdoors.

I find restaurants too noisy these days what with the way they cram tables in and play loud music so people talk loudly, I just switch off.

Maybe he has made a typo in his text and he wants to sit in the dark with you?

Has it occurred to you that perhaps he spends a lot of time inside and on his down time wants to be able to be outside and is inviting you to enjoy that with him? Also you say “successful” relationships started with dinner but … you’re no longer in those relationships. Meet him in the park, you have no idea what or how that will turn out. We are far too materialistic as a society and far too hung up on money and accusing ppl of being “tight” yet you have no idea what he has planned. He may surprise you on the day but you won’t find out if you judge him as being “cheap” cos he’s not suggesting a restaurant. There are far better ways to be generous than splashing money around - he’s willing to give up some of his downtime to be with you - that’s far more precious than chucking some money around in my opinion. If you don’t like him don’t waste his time, if you like him, go and see where it leads.

Like everyone else, there are parka and there are parks. But to me it would also make a considerable difference if we were sitting on a bench or a picnic blanket. Even if we didn't have a picnic (at this early stage, preparing a picnic is going to involve a lot of boring chat about allergies and likes and dislikes, so I can see why he wanted to skip that), I think the chatting on a blanket, apres-picnic style, has quite a different vibe to sitting on a park bench. Comments about not needing to compete with background noise are valid, but also add in, sitting across from someone like in a restaurant/cafe gives a different vibe to sitting next to someone like you could on a blanket, or, tbf, a bench.

How can you say all your successful relationships started with a romantic meal? If they were successful why are you single? . As they did not work out it might me a good idea to change things. However if you dont want to go to the park then say that and either suggest something else or decline another date

Wow. Smug much?

Can’t you just say ‘it’s not really park weather - shall we do x instead?’

i’d have told him where to stick his election leaflets tbh

The successful relationships that started with a romantic meal aren’t really that successful if there where multiple and your now 40 and on desperately searching dating apps.
Maybe try something new for once. You might be surprised

He clearly wants opportunity to sit and talk. Sounds lovely to me. In fact a day in the sunshine and fresh air, getting to know someone I quite like… can’t think of much else better for a 2nd date really.

This is a way to figure out if you are compatible. He might be frugle, into walks in the park and outdoor persuits and the simple life and looking for a partner that likes the same. You might be into nice dinners, wine bars and spa holiday for example. Set your expectations and boundaries now with what you want and he will either back away or live up to them. I would offer to pay for dinner if he has paid for the last one but make it somewhere you really like. He can then see what floats your boat and make his decisions.

@74Violette The Op went halves on the first date of drinks in a pub.