First Dates

I was inspired to blog about first dates after reading this entry from Greek Tragedy.
I agree about the museum dates, as I once had a first date at the local art museum with someone who was well educated...just not about art. This made me annoyed, as I had to explain way too much to him during that afternoon....though he was impressed by the breadth of my knowlegde of modern art (see.....an Art History minor can come in handy sometimes).
I also believe in wearing jean, albeit nice jeans, on a first date. Anything more formal and I feel as though I am going to temple or to work, neither of which really bring out the Fun Gal in me.

Good first dates:

• Out of the way coffee place- must not have too many students clicking away on their laptops or otherwise studying, as this makes me feel as though the date is taking place in a library (side note- a friend and I once got asked to leave an internet cafe in college b/c we were talking to loud and disturbing the uptight Ivy League patrons).
• A nice restaurant- but no so fancy as though I feel I must put out for my astronomically priced entree, or too fancy for me to wear jeans at. Ideally includes soft lighting (the romantic in me), conversation-level music, and yummy desserts that we can share (fave date dessert so far= green tea creme brulee)
• A local sporting event (please no face-painting on the first date)- can be fun and inspiring if your team wins. Or you an just have a good time making fun of the losing team together
• A local 'happening' or wander around an interesting downtown (ex: Waterfire in Providence, head over to Pearl Street Mall in Boulder- highly recommend the sake bar at Happa, stroll through Church Street Marketplace in Burlington)- any boy who doesn't mind window shopping is worth keeping around for a second date

Bad first dates:

• A loud bar or club- dates are no fun if I spend most of the night screaming "what?! I couldn't hear you?!"
• Any fast food place, I don't care if you do offer to buy me the Extra Value Meal
• An artsy event, say poetry reading or the like- one of you may take it waaay more seriously than the other, possibly leading to a bruised ego on someone's part ('How could she not like proto-Dadaist jam performances?')
• Restaurant with potential to lead to embarrassing gastrointestinal events- such as Indian, Mexican, some Chinese
• A movie- no chance to chat, may have similar problem as with artsy event ('You mean you don't enjoy the brilliance of the Slavic-Russo silent films from the 50's?')