The Secret Why Your First Date Should Be Cheap And Fast

First dates, for many people, are highly stressful. You find yourself wondering what the “right way” to set everything up is. Should you take your date somewhere impressive? Show off your best clothes? How should you behave? Many sources, however, suggest that keeping your date short, sweet, and cheap might ultimately be more to your benefit than showing off everything you’ve got.

Develop Your Opinion Before Your Commit

When you’re committed to a long date with plenty of activities, it’s hard to look at the other person and say, “You know what? I’m just not feeling it. What do you say we call it a day?” You’ve committed to being there, and now, you have to see it through. By keeping your date short and sweet, however, you create a feeling of anticipation for next time without leaving either of you overwhelmed if you decide that this just isn’t working out.

Keep it Simple and Fun

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If you’re going out on a complicated, expensive date, you’re probably going to have on your company manners – not to mention being tense, uncomfortable, and feeling out of your element. On the other hand, going out and doing something cheap and fun together means that both of you will be able to relax and just act like yourselves. You’ll get a better idea of what the other person is really like and be able to display your own personality at the same time – so everyone wins.

Leave Both of You Wanting More

Early in a relationship, many people make the mistake of spending far too much time together. You’ll share too much information, inviting your date to a heighten “connection” that he hasn’t earned, and ultimately end up burning out the relationship before it has the opportunity to build. Instead, keep it short and sweet and leave your date wanting more. Ultimately, you’ll both benefit!

Avoid the Booze

The longer you’re out with your date in a location where alcohol is being served, the more you’re going to drink. Unfortunately, this might cause you to view your date through a completely different lens – and ultimately make decisions that you’re going to regret later. Instead, keep it short, sweet, and sober: you’ll be able to decide for yourself whether or not you like the other person when neither of you is under the influence.

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Short and Cheap Date Ideas

There are plenty of things that you can do on your first date that don’t cost a lot of money or take up a lot of time in case you need to make a hasty exit. A few ideas:

• Go out for coffee. Not only is it inexpensive, since at most you’ll order a cup of coffee and a pastry, it doesn’t take long to drink one mug of coffee.
• Skip dinner and go straight for dessert. A dessert date allows you to dress up and strut your stuff, but doesn’t require the same commitment as a full dinner date.
• Go out for wine together. Remember to keep it to one glass, and don’t drink it too fast -no matter how badly the date is going!
• Meet up for a movie and take a walk together afterwards. Even if your date is terrible, the movie was probably still good.

By keeping your date short, sweet, and simple, you can decrease the odds that you’ll be stuck spending hours with someone that you don’t really click with. There’s no more need to have a friend on speed dial who will call you with an “emergency.” Instead, you can determine for yourself whether or not you’re eager for round two. Maybe on your second date, you can eat a whole dinner together.