My Perfect Date

No, this will not be a post about a perfect date that I've experienced, but rather what I would consider to be a perfect *first* date. That first is very important. Once the awkwardness and obligation of the first date are over, then you can find your relationship groove, but until then, I have some suggestions. Some of these are universal, but they all apply to me specifically. [For this post, "you" generally refers to the males doing the dating] First dates should only be one activity. Either dinner OR the corn maze OR bowling. I will allow that movies or a quick snack/dessert may be tagged on to any of these purely because it doesn't require much effort on either part. It is tiring to be on a first date and the longer it goes on, the harder it is. And the girl should ALWAYS know what is going on. Do not try to surprise her because then she will show up in a skirt and flip-flops when you planned to hike the Y for a picnic. This also goes along with the dread thing. I like to get hyped up over what is going on and if I don't know, I just dread it all together. Girls are generally polite and so the little clues are important. I know it can feel like she is playing a game, but it is just because she doesn't want to hurt your feelings. So if you ever hear a semi-enthusiastic "sure" or "if you want to" back up and try again. If she gives any suggestions, listen and do it. When your first plan for dinner goes through and she rattles off a few options, feel free to add to the options, but if she is suggesting a certain type of place, don't change directions entirely. If she says "Well we could do CPK or PF Changes or Cheesecake Factory" don't go and say "Hey, let's go to Golden Coral" and then, when she says "sure, if you want to" drive and pig out. No! First of all, she said "sure" and "if you want to" in one sentence! Major red flag. Second of all, Golden Coral is nothing like any of her suggestions and she obviously isn't in the mood for that kind of thing or she would have said "well, there is Chuck a Rama, and Golden Coral, or Hometown Buffet..." Impress me. Take me to SLC for dinner or to a show, I don't mind a bit of a ride if it means there is something amazing at the end. But don't impress me with your skills that I don't want to partake in. For example, if you are a superb bike rider, don't try to take me through the canyon. In fact, avoid sweaty activities all together for that first date. I may have said yes to the first date, but unless you impress me, there won't be a second.