The first date is where you really start to get to know a guy and decide whether there’s long-term potential. While there’s no way you’ll find out everything there is to know in those first few hours, the good thing is that you can tell a lot about a guy based on his choice of first date activity.
- Watching a movie Going to the movies on a first date is a sign that he’s not much of a talker. If he’s not shy, he’s either antisocial, not interested in deep conversations, or just really into the movie you’re seeing. If this is where he wants to take you, don’t expect any fireworks to happen right away. Not much happens on a movie date, so hopefully a meal or some drinks will follow so you can determine whether or not you’re actually compatible.
- Drinking at the club or bar A first date in a location with loud music and lots of booze is a dead giveaway that your date is a party animal. He loves to go out, have a drink or two, and he probably thinks he’s a good dancer. Be careful—he may have intentions to go further with you by getting you drunk and therefore lowering your inhibitions, so be on your toes. On the bright side, if the date doesn’t go well, at least you’ll have other options within an arm’s reach.
- Spending the day at an amusement park If this is where you’re headed for a first date, you should be thrilled to know that he is an adventure-seeker and lives life one day at a time. He knows when to take breaks to have fun and he’s definitely a family man. Going to the amusement park is pretty much a full day’s commitment, so if he’s willing to spend eight hours or more getting to know you, that’s a pretty good sign.
- Going outdoors for a walk/hike in nature If he’s taking you to the great outdoors for a first date, he definitely wants to get to know the real you, the person you are outside of your daily life. He’s super down-to-earth and has no problem disconnecting from technology in order to give you his full attention. He values health and exercise and has tons of energy. If outdoor activities aren’t really your thing, you may have a hard time keeping up with this one.
- Dropping knowledge at the museum A first date to the museum may seem like a boring date, but you may be in for a real treat. Not only is he intelligent and loves to learn, he’s interested in learning and sharing knowledge with you. A museum is a great place to share your thoughts and perspectives on certain topics, which can assess how well you two can hold a conversation. If this is his first date of choice, that shows that he’s mostly interested in your mind and character. While this can be a great first date idea, it can be completely boring if an educational date is not your cup of tea.
- Reservations at a fancy restaurant for a nice dinner It’s safe to say that this is pretty much everyone’s go-to first date. It’s a safe bet and it gets the job done. If your date decides to wine and dine you, it shows that he’s not into gimmicks or grand gestures. He wants to focus on getting to know you through good ol’ fashioned conversation, no distractions necessary. That or he’s just really not creative at all.
- Shopping at the mall It may not be the best idea, but let’s give him the benefit of the doubt here. If he invites you to go shopping with him as a first date, he’s telling you that he’s productive and probably great at multitasking. He’s extremely casual and is aware of his own wants and needs. Also, he could be a bit self-centered since he’s spending your time together shopping for himself rather than giving you his full attention. In my opinion, this an unusual date idea, but if it goes south, at least you’ll get some shopping done.
- Taking a ballroom dance class This is a great first date idea to initiate physical contact without the awkwardness of wondering who will make the first move. Taking a ballroom dance class shows that he’s sensual and caring. His love language is through physical touch and quality time. He’s open to trying out new things and has an interest and appreciation for art. Through this date, he’s trying to see if there’s natural chemistry between the two of you. After all, you need those two things in order to have a great relationship and dance partner.
- Going to a sports event Whatever type of sporting event you go to, you can expect your date to be a loud and rowdy one. If this is where you’re going the first time you hang out, it’s safe to say that he has a competitive side to him. He’s loud, expressive, extroverted, and probably well-versed in pop culture. He’s usually the life of the party and gets along with most people. Generally, he’s a fun person to be around and you won’t ever have to worry about having a boring moment with him. If sports aren’t really your thing, then be prepared to fight for his attention when the big game is on.
- Accompanying him to a family gathering This is a huge sign that this guy is serious about you. Meeting someone’s family doesn’t usually happen until way later in the relationship, so don’t take this first date lightly. This guy knows what he wants and wants to see how well you mix with his family. By inviting you, his intentions are clear: he’s looking for a serious long-term relationship. This date is definitely not for the faint of heart, so if you’re not up for it, then politely suggest just grabbing a nice dinner with just the two of you first.
