To think he's said this in case he doesn't want to eat with me?

[Ceeeeee]

I made a profile on an app and some guy's asked me out for a bite to eat. I said yes, and we've agreed to meet this weekend.
Now he's said shall we have a short walk first before the food to 'see how we feel'?

That's obviously code for, I'll see if I fancy you and if not I don't have to eat with you. It wasn't a fancy sit down meal, just a quick bite to eat like. Should I still go ahead? I don't know why, this has put me off slightly.
It was only some waffle place, I wouldn't go for a formal meal for a first date either. Should I still go?

I just don't want to feel like I'm being assessed so much. A waffle/crepe whatever is hardly a court summons, it's barely more than a coffee. If I'm that grotesque surely he can finish it quickly and go?

To be fair, it gives you a way out as well, if you don't hit it off.
Could be an awkward meal if you are both sitting there with nothing to say.

That works both ways of course.

After the walk, you can just tell him that you don't want to eat with him

Yes I've heard men doing this to see if you are worth it, I personally wouldn't agree to go for a walk as a date 😅😂

As long as you are walking in an open public place surely this is better because if he's a creep/weirdo/you simply don't like him it would be easier to just walk away.
Being in a cafe might make it awkward over things like who is paying the bill or having to abandon food.

True! I just hate dating and hate being sussed out so to speak, even if I'm doing the same 🤣 I'm not really arsed if some random bloke likes me or not

You lose nothing by going, and if you don't like him in person, you can bin him off after the 'short walk to see how you feel' without awkwardness, since it was his idea.

Hahah yes, without sounding arrogant I am definitely worth it, and if he decides I'm not then he can do one

@Ceeeeee no offence but if you hate dating why are you doing it?

I don't know tbh, I'm indecisive, I mean I hate the whole dating process even if I am open to meeting someone.

It's definitely a thing but I would never agree to go for a walk with a man anyway for a date they seem to be popular on mumsnet though, screams lazy low effort to me and yeah he wants to suss out whether you're spending time with/ being seen with.

Honestly even if I don't fancy someone I can stomach a cake or something for half an hour with them unless they're absolutely terrible in some way.
I feel like it'd be way more awkward deciding to go on this walk then having to jib someone and say 'sorry I won't be eating with you after all' then awkwardly waking off !

Say no, you’ve changed your mind, you’d like an early drink instead of dinner. Then you can see whether you like the look of him without committing to dinner, or just wandering around like half-hearted Ramblers. If it goes well, you can go on to dinner, otherwise you say ‘It’s been fun!’, drain your G and T and scarper.

I only go for a coffee initially for the same reason - i can have one drink and scarper if needed.

He also wants us to walk around town, nowhere particularly just walk around aimlessly (we're in Liverpool)

I would never ever go for a walk as a date unless it was someone who was into hiking. Walking down the road with someone is not a date.

I think you're being a bit sensitive- it makes sense to suss the other person out before committing to a meal. Doesn't necessarily mean fancying, but what if their vibes are just totally off? Gives you a chance to suss him out too.

I hate going for food on a first date, could not imagine anything worse- I'd be grateful for the opportunity to scarper if needed!

Exactly 🤣 swerve, it has put me off a little

Plenty to see in Liverpool?

I think if I went on a date now I'd quite like a walk then to sit by the river with a take out coffee, it's so pretty

I think it's just the thought of randomly traipsing around town like, the coffee/river thing could be a good idea.

isn't this what teenagers do 🤣

Some people have hang ups about eating in company as well. I went on a few dates where guys were nervously pushing food around their plates.

I always say no to a walk, but normally do a quick coffee shop date .

Ooh, I'd far prefer to get chatting over an aimless amble around town than being stuck in front of each other over a table. I'd see it as a less awkward way of getting to know someone.

But no need for you to agree to it if it's not your thing!

Personally I think the walk is a great idea OP. If it all feels too awkward you can just say, 'I think this walk was a good idea, as I really don't feel it's worth going for crepes' or whatever it is. Then you can just walk away and not look back.