Five "Get to Know You" Date Ideas

by S. Fields

The following five date ideas are fairly simple. Some of the date ideas will help you find out what you and your date have in common. Some of the date ideas will show you about your date's interests, views, and history. Two of the date ideas are designed to show you how you and your date might work together as a team. Are you ready to get to know each other better? Read on.

Date Idea #1: The Bookstore Date

Take your date to the local bookstore with the following plan. Choose a bookstore where you can sit, talk, and maybe have some coffee. When you first get there, split up and wander around the bookstore alone. Pick up a few books and/or magazines that interest you. You can do this a variety of ways. You can purposefully choose books that you feel represent who you are and what you're interested in, or you can simply pick up anything that catches your interest. Another variation is to agree on a theme and pick out books that are romantic, vacation books, or any other theme you can come up with. Once you have finished picking out your books and magazines, meet up with your date and settle down on a coach or with a cup of coffee. Share the books you've picked out and take a look at the ones your date has found.

Date Idea #2: The Video Date

Meet up at a video store. Show each other your all time favorite movies. Next pick out and share movies that inspired you, or made you laugh or cry. What movie is your all time favorite romantic, comedy, or adventure movie? When you're done, share your favorite meal or appetizer at each of your favorite restaurants.

Date Idea #3: The Video Game Date

Think things are going pretty well and want to find out if you can work as a team? Rent or buy a two-player video game to play. A great game to try for this date is Lego Star Wars. Instead of competing, you and your date will have to work together. There is no split screen and you can't wander too far from the other player. Many sections even require both players to act together to succeed.

Date Idea #4: The Board Game Date

Pull out, purchase, or borrow a board game such as Chicken Soup for the Soul or Men are From Mars, Women are from Venus. Both these board games will ask leading question that will give you deeper insight into your date. You'll discover things like your date's habits, ambitions, experiences, and views on marriage.

Date Idea #5: The Big Purchase Date

How much money you pool together will depend on your budgets. Agree on an amount and place your money together in an envelope. Next, go to a nearby shop to purchase something big together. You'll have to decide together where to shop, what to buy, and since you're not living together - how to share the item. With this date, you'll get a view of the differences and similarities in how and why you and your date spend money.

There are many activities you can do to get to know your date better. The above are just a few. Try each one, but don't despair if things don't go as well as planned the very first time. For instance, don't worry if you don't find anything in common the first bookstore date. Differences can make a relationship interesting as well. Also, don't be discouraged if your first attempt at working as a team with your date goes badly. What's more important is that you're both willing to try and try again.