People often think of dinner and a movie as a classic first date. But it’s also pricey, dull and cliché. Here are 3 reasons coffee is your best bet. And of course if coffee doesn’t suit your fancy, most shops have non-coffee based drinks available, or you can head over to a tea place, or perhaps a smoothie bar.
Economic: Who has $100+ for the first date? I guess that rules out dinner and a movie. Between dinner, drinks (for the 19+), tickets and popcorn, you probably can’t get away with the classic dinner and a movie for under $100. Coffee dates on the other hand, can easily be $10 or less. Get those bonus points for chivalry by paying for your date! It won’t even break the bank. Because really, who wants to dish out 100 bucks only to find their date puts you to sleep faster than a 1am infomercial? (For the couples who pay separately like I often do, this date can be $5 or less). Bonus: If you’re paying, it gets your date away from the awkward situation of “I really want a steak but the pizza is $10 less” dilemma.
Transportable: On a beautiful day, nobody really wants to be kept inside. Unless you met on like, Tumblr. Then maybe. Otherwise, a cappuccino to go allows you to walk (or sit) in your favourite part of the city/town. Explore Kensington (for the Torontonians out there) or take a walk through your favourite park. It’s more romantic, more creative and a hell of a lot better for conversation, than being stuck in a noisy restaurant. Plus your choice of location tells a little more about who you are. Tip: go to a place with a story, like a park from your childhood. It gives you a conversation starter to fall back on if you run into an awkward silence.
Practical: The point of a first date is to get to know each other. Conversation over dinner is probably minimal, unless your date is an animal and talks with food in their mouth. In that case they’re probably not being called back and you’re wasting $100. It’s not hard to talk between sips of coffee, whether you opt to stay in the shop or go for a walk.
Clearly if you’re looking for a reasonably priced, meaningful first date – coffee is a great start. Also coffee drinkers are cool and do artsy things like paint and write and philosophize right? No? Is that just in media? Maybe. But it’s nice to think your date will be 10x cooler because they drink coffee and therefore will fall into one stereotype or another I guess… If you fantasize about mysterious artsy people with dark clothes and stacks of novels in their room…
If you have any other cool date ideas feel free to share! (Bonus points if they’re cheap)
Until next time,
Chloé
Sikirar 