Good ideas for a first date?

[mrsmarples]

Anyone? Am really stuck.

I think first dates are a 'getting to know you' exercise so anywhere you can relax and chat works. Is this a blind date? Do you know anything about them already?

Coffee shop, daytime.

Not a blind date exactly, met online. Exchanged a few mails. It's next step time.

He mentioned champagne and strawberries on the beach. I love both. But I think not on a first date.

Hmmm some ideas...

Driving range then the 19 th hole afterwards

Cocktail making lessons

Rugby/football match

Racing dogs/horses

Trip to seaside

Beer garden if nice weather

Personally I always favoured ones with alcohol involved!

Just seen the on line part - definitely coffee shop, daytime with friend on stand by to rescue you by phone or bumping into you

oh he has just sent me a very funny text. he is happy to agree to a minimum 37 date no shagging rule as long as he doesn't have to drink coffee as he's a tea drinker.

Oh love the ideas mic thank you.

And yes. daytime, public with friend who knows where i am.

You can't go too far wrong with a daytime date really. Keep it short and sweet in case you don't hit it off (or leave him wanting more if you do!) and try to think of it as meeting a new friend rather than a potential life partner. I'm currently on holiday with a lovely bloke I met online 8 months ago, along with all our kids! This time next year it could be you!

Walk in the park, tea and buns after in a coffee shop. It's easy to chat waking along and not so awkward as being face to face in a coffee shop that is quiet and all the staff are watching you:) you'll be more relaxed after a stroll.

I met dp online POF. First online message on Saturday, first date on the Monday with constant phone chat in between. Met in a cocktail bar in my local town. That was 16 months and a mortgage ago. Good luck

I like daytime involving a walk, that way you're not sat across from each other like an interview. You have changing scenery to inspire conversation and diversions.

Basically exactly what lavender say.

Pub. Not too formal and you can bail at any point, but it's not quite so business meeting-ish as coffee.

Make of this what you will, but all my online dates before DsoontobeH were pub-based, but DP and I met at a museum and then drank tea. There have been quite a few pubs since though..

I think going for a walk sounds a bit contrived. Fine if you live in a city, or by the sea or something, but a walk down my suburban high street or round my local park (which is full of aggressive dogs/dogowners, screaming toddlers and surly teens skulking around) is hardly the stuff dating dreams are made of!

I have had several coffee dates, all of which bar one were EXCRUCIATING. Daytime dates are awkward, uncomfortable, the lighting is too harsh...I'd go for an evening drink every time. Much easier to find a spark that way.

On my first date with the man I am currently dating we went on a pub crawl round all the pubs (5) in my local town. Afterwards we both said it was the best date we'd ever had

Actually good point, I met my DP in the evening at a tapas place for drinks, then if we got on we said we'd stay for something to eat. Ended up going to a pub afterwards, then a cocktail bar then back to mine so evening seems to have a higher success rate due to the inclusion of alcohol?!

I like the idea of an early evening drink and a walk along the beach where I live.

However, this is probably not worth another thread but - I think date that I started thread about isn't going to happen. I think he's married or in a relationship or at the least a player so it's a no from me.

On the other hand, lots of very good ideas here and things I've never done so I'll definitely keep them in mind when a suitable bloke comes along!!

Lucky escape then! Next...