Do people date anymore?
By Faye
@FayeHazel (40230)
United States
November 3, 2016 9:33pm CST
I grew up thinking that a "date" consisted of a pair of people who like each other going out to eat, watching a movie, going bowling, or any other assortment of similar activities in an effort to get to know each other, or in effort to spend time with each other such as married people.
Fast forward to my first actual date. Movie, and supper. My date made a point to talk about what a nice restaurant we were going to. I thought he was trying to impress me. Well, impress me he was - just not the impression I thought he was trying to make. When we get to the restaurant he told me that next time would be on me. That is how he preferred dating. (in that case I would have rather just gone dutch - keeps it more simple - but I digress) He further went on to stress the fact that he was "just ordering a sandwich" . I suppose I can't be mad at him. Maybe some other girls had really run up the bill for him in times past. How was he supposed to know that I would prove myself, waiting to order until he did so I could chose something similar in cost?
Now I'm not bringing up this date of yor to cast any bad light on him. He was being up front with how he preferred to date - and he didn't know that I would mind my manners and order reasonably. But it was miles different than what my gal pals had described... flowers, fancy gifts, necklaces, earrings, fancy restaurants... not that I expected any of that.
So while that wasn't a bad date, little did I know as time went on that date would seem like extreme luxury.
I can't fault anyone in today's economy for being frugal. But I have noticed that the expectations have changed. It would seem more and more so that first date ideas - instead of dinner and a movie - have become more like , walking at a park, meeting at your/my place or, worse "driving around". I do not take offense at either of these ideas because they are free dates, rather I take offense because they are both rather private activities when you are meeting someone in person for the first time.
So my question is this: do people older than say, 20, actually go on "dates" anymore?
4 people like this
7 responses
@ms1864 (6882)
• Bangalore, India
4 Nov 16
the reason i don't date is because i prefer a single life....less problems and less drama. Less things to obsessively worry about. I tried dating but found it exhosting... so until some freak of nature comes my way and makes it feel easy...i'd rather be on my own. 

2 people like this
@FayeHazel (40230)
• United States
4 Nov 16
I agree -- for the most part I enjoy being single. There are times when I miss being special to someone... but... soon after you're "special" to someone - it becomes drama, controlling or they just see what they can get from you
1 person likes this
@WorDazza (15826)
• Manchester, England
4 Nov 16
Everybody is different. Some people like to 'splash the cash' in an effort to impress where as others would rather let their personality do the talking. When i was younger (and not married) I would usually do cinema then dinner for a first date. That has two advantages. You don't have to talk too much during the first couple of awkward hours after first meeting then when you are at dinner you have something to talk about.
I would always pay! I never expected someone I had asked to go on a date with me to pay. I asked so I paid!
1 person likes this

@WorDazza (15826)
• Manchester, England
7 Nov 16
@FayeHazel We've never done that. Feels too forced and artificial. In any case our kids have both left home now so we have plenty of time to do what we want when we want 

@FayeHazel (40230)
• United States
4 Nov 16
You are wise. So true - first meetings are usually awkward and I love discussing film. Ah a true gentleman you are .... do you and your wife set aside amounts of time for a "date" night as I've heard with some married couples.
1 person likes this

@Letranknight2015 (52665)
• Philippines
4 Nov 16
Nope, I rather have time by myself. I probably have not date in a long time.
1 person likes this
@GopherDanny (814)
• Philippines
4 Nov 16
I've never really been gone on a date before because I never asked a girl out yet. I'm still in my twenties but I am not in a rush to go to dates yet. Nevertheless, its pretty obvious that the purpose of dating is to get to know each other. So we can't really fault out people who don't spend too much during their first dates. According to an article I read about dating, the best step to elevate your emotions towards one another, is by taking your date to carnivals wherein you can try out some scary but safe rides, and of course after that, some dinner or something because who would not want to eat after having so much fun, right?
1 person likes this
@FayeHazel (40230)
• United States
4 Nov 16
I think it's great to take your time. Dating can be a lot of stress and pressure. For the right person it's worth it, so they say. A carnival and then food would be a good idea, you could talk about the rides or things you see later...
1 person likes this
@GopherDanny (814)
• Philippines
4 Nov 16
@FayeHazel Precisely, that would be my ideal date, but of course, it all depends on what the mood of the woman is and the man has to feel in order have a better date.
@RitzzView (3041)
• India
5 Nov 16
Seems a good idea for dating. I guess to know each other, many different date would be great..
I've never thought of going to date.. But just hang out and walk around my town.
But now I think, I would like to give it a try to go for different date sessions..









