Life Skills – Dating 101 (Part I)

There are 2 reasons for the title of this article:

1- I’m going to give you some basics on dating that I have learned through experience and investigation…stuff that you might learn in a college 101 course on dating…

2- Back in 1992 I produced a booklet called “101 Great Dating Ideas” and I’m going to share all 101 of them with you over the course of a few weeks…giving you 5 or 6 ideas for great dates over that time period.

In all humility I must confess that I am a great dater…I’m a blast to go out with!! I like to be creative and unique with my dates.

These articles on dating will help you in at least five ways:

1- The dates that you will be reading about in this series of “Great Dates” are tried and proven. These are dates that have been experienced and approved by a staff of “great” daters!!

2- Each date is rated for fun, romance, and expenses.

A. The FUN and the ROMANCE scales are rated on a one through four basis. Sometimes one will be high and the other one low, or vise versa…in fact sometimes the may both be high – but there will NEVER be a time when both of them are low (if they were both low, it wouldn’t be acceptable for this article).

B. The expenses are rated according to four different categories (and remember, these are ballpark figures):

1. $0.00 - $10.00
2. $10.00 - $25.00
3. $25.00 - $50.00
4. $50.00 or more

3- It has different sections and cross-references.

A. One section might contain information for people who want to go out on a “singles” date, while another section might give you ideas for “group” dates. One section might mention sporting events that you can do together while another might look at mellower, romantic dates.

B. The really exciting thing about these articles is that you can mix ‘em and match ‘em. Some of the dates mentioned can be done blended together with some of the other dates. I will mention a few of them throughout the pieces.

4- It will inspire you to think up some of your own dating ideas.

5- The dates in these articles could put sparks back into a relationship that seems to be going nowhere.

Since everybody is different, not every date is going to be for every “body.” Therefore, if you see a date in these writings that just doesn’t seem like your type, don’t just blow it off, think of how you can use that idea to fit your personality, or the personality of your partner. Use your own creativity.

Now, on to the GREAT Dating Ideas!!!…

1- Halloween (on any day of the year except October 31st)

I’m going to be telling you about some “Holiday” dates that you can go on throughout the “DATE” series, but I have to tell you, this one is the most fun to set up and carry out…especially if your date doesn’t know the plans for the date.
The set-up: Before the date, go to all the houses in your neighborhood and take each one 2 of a certain kind of treat (different treats for each house). Tell the people that you will be coming around to their houses later that evening with a date “trick-or-treating” and ask them if they will just put the treats (the treats that you just handed them) into your trick-or-treat bags.
The date: After you pick up your date, ask him/her what he/she would like to be for Halloween. You can go to a thrift shop and get clothes for costumes or just rummage around the house. You could also have the costumes already prepared and say “this is what we are going to be for Halloween.” After you get dressed up, go hit the neighborhood. I’ve seen the neighbors really get into this one. Even though pumpkins were out of season, one of the neighbors had a jack-o-lantern on their doorstep. I’ve seen Halloween decorations on doors and windows (I swear I didn’t prompt them) and there have been many times when the neighbor gave us, not only the treats that I gave them to give us, but other treats as well.
FUN: 4 ROMANCE: 1 MONEY: $10.00-$25.00

2- Take a Hayride

Ahhh, the smell of the fresh hay, the feel of the straw on your face, the sound of the dried grass lightly crunching under your bodies, and a light breeze. I’m not sure this is one that you can do in every city, but in some places, a local farm is only a 20-minute drive away. And if you check your local yellow pages, maybe you’ll be able to find a hayride in the city. This is a very romantic ride. You’ll feel good in each other’s arms. Remember this one.
FUN: 2-3 ROMANCE: 4 MONEY: $10.00-$25.00

3- Poetry and Love Letters

Sit down with some soft romantic music, a favorite beverage and take time and turns writing poetry and love letters to each other. Oft times, we express ourselves better in writing than we can with our lips (in the talking vernacular, that is). Letter writing is almost a lost art. We are so spoiled with technology that we seldom take time to accurately verbalize our thoughts on paper. It is true that the pen is mightier than the sword…and when you are done with this evening, you’ll have memoirs and memories to hold on to forever. And by the way, this usually leads to great “make out” sessions…
FUN: 1-4 ROMANCE: 4 MONEY: $0.00-$10.00

4- The 50’s

Even though 1950 was over 50 years ago, the age is still fascinating to us (I mean keen and nifty). The music, the attitude, the hairstyles, and the clothes made this a fun decade. This date is a “dress-up” date. Find some 50’s garb and whoop it up. There are places that you can go to dance to 50’s music, there are 50’s style drive-up restaurants complete with roller skating waitresses (or walk-in), and there are still a few drive-in theaters left. That sounds like a 50’s night to me!!
FUN: 4 ROMANCE: 1-3 MONEY: $10.00-$25.00

5- Hot-Air Ballooning

There is a rush of delirium that fills your body when you are high in the air in a hot-air balloon basket. There are places you can go to rent a ride in a hot-air balloon. It’s fun and it can be romantic. At those heights, you’ll feel like you can conquer the world and maybe you’ll slip into the 5th Dimension…”Up, up and away in my beautiful, my beautiful balloon…”
FUN: 4 ROMANCE: 1-4 MONEY: $50.00 or more

That’s all I’ve got for you today…there’s more in the future…remember, these are only 5 of the 101 dating ideas that I’ve got for you!! Have fun…or else!!