First date tomorrow and he wants to go ... bowling!?

[MrsToddNeeLovett]

Am meeting with a bloke from POF tomorrow night. I suggested a pub on a quiet but 'active social life' retail park as it's safe and everyone knows where it is. I meant just a few drinks, nothing too drawn out as we don't even know if we'll like each other yet. However, he's taken it not as intended and thinks I meant the pub for a huge meal and then to go bowling (across the road from pub).

Am I a boring cow for saying I don't wanna go bowling? I dislike bowling and I'm shit at it.

Awww I'd love to go bowling. It can be such fun, and if he turns out to be a twat you can just ignore him and "concentrate" on your game!

If you really don't enjoy bowling, just tell him. Start as you mean to go on!

I bloody loath bowling and have the remarkable talent of getting my ball in someone else's lane so get where you are coming from.

Why not play by ear on the date though? I'm possibly naive but bowling doesn't sound like foreplay to me which is surely first date positive?? if you get on you can ditch it nicely with him, if the date doesn't turn out well you just tell him you hate bowling as you won't want to see him again.

I would read that as meaning he wants a 'fun' and not heavy kind of date (think Meg Ryan in some ditzy rom-com).

I'd love to go bowling on a first date...Implies there is no pressure for 'more' like an expensive restaurant would. I'd say he really likes you and wants to take it slow.

Ok should I swallow my pride and agree to meet him at the bowling place then?

I can put up with one game I suppose

If you "like" him , bowling will be the thrill of your life!

And if you don't, purgatory. I would probably play it by ear. Have a drink and decide then.

I'd be honest and say I didn't like it.

Or even better leave it non-committal. Chances are that if you like him he'll teach you to bowl, by doing it with you.
If he is too competitive, dump.

Ohhh no, bowling...Bowling shoes!
That alone would make it a no from me. (Yes I am quite shallow )

I like bowling and think it sounds like a nice, light-hearted date idea. But I would stick with meeting in the pub and then if you like him, go with the bowling plan, and if you don't, come up with an excuse.

True story: went on a date with a guy years ago to a bowling alley. About halfway through the game he is determined to get a strike and really puts a lot of effort into the shot... slips on the floor wearing those awful shoes they give you, straight into the air, and lands awkwardly. He tore something in his knee and they had to call an ambulance! I didn't join him at the hospital and we didn't click anyway.

yes the bowling shoes freak me out too - gross gross gross

I think he's sensed my feelings on it and has suggested we go to the pub first and then bowling later - I've agreed to that :)

Cog - I thought you were going to finish that story with "10 years later we're still married but don't bowl much these days"

Bowling as a dating couple is a bit sad. You just end up half-heartedly cheering each other on or doing the 'better luck next time' shrug...

I would give the bowling a miss tbh.

I wouldn't agree to anything you don't really fancy. Personally, I'd say a meal and bowling would be too much for me and I'm not keen on bowling anyway. A quick drink or two, preferably coffee, is enough for me on first date. Guy I'm seeing just now suggested dinner for first date and I said 'no thanks, would rather just make it coffee'. Been seeing him 5 months now - didn't put him off or offend him at all and we've been out for dinner since just not first date. I'd say to leave yourself the option to get out after 45 mins to an hour. Sometimes that can be enough! Main thing is that you feel that you have some control though and are comfortable. Good luck

I shall update tomorrow - maybe on the Johnny Depp thread however :) thanks for the advice everyone x

Bowling after a heavy meal? Take indigestions pills with you, honey, and check the location of the ladies before you slip into a pair of those godawful shoes

I think it sounds lovely and just planning to have a couple of drinks is a cold way of entering a potential relationship...he's thought about what could be a laugh...and actually DOING something is far nicer and more likely to be fun than staring at one another over a lager in a faceless retail park pub!

Well each to their own...which I what my post said. I prefer the cold way! Others might like it hot. lol.

I went to a museum with my now-boyfriend.