By Marcus McCormic
Late in the year 2020, a post about what women think are not acceptable date locations went viral on the internet. Given that the post was created by secular sources, it prompted inquiry into what students at The Master’s University view as good choices for first dates.
So where did students suggest going on these special dates?
Sean Doyle, a senior, suggested taking the date to a local mini golf course. “Mini golf gives a nice balance between having stuff to do and time to talk.”
Senior Simon Blackburn sang a similar tune as Doyle, suggesting either mini golf or bowling. “[Do] something active because seeing how you handle competition is vital. Knowing their reaction to losing is also important and can raise red flags,” Blackburn said.
Along those same lines, Michael Marcum, a junior at TMU, suggested pairing bowling with a coffee date saying, “Sitting and talking for hours can be intimidating for a first date, so having an activity helps to move along the pace of the conversation.”
Coffee and drink shops were commonly cited as being some of the best places too. Many pointed out that the reason wasn’t so much for the food but rather for the conversation and the ease of the atmosphere.
According to Daniel Springer, a senior, a coffee date or boba date are two good options, even going so far as to suggest two places he knows of by name: Teacision or Coffee Commissary. “A first date should be low pressure and casual… a casual coffee date lets you test the waters in a low stakes environment.”
Madison Chavez, a freshman, also advocated for coffee dates, citing her reasoning as a coffee date being simple and a nice place to talk and get to know someone.
Freshman Shaylee Avis shared in Chavez’s sentiment for a simple location, but she leans more towards the smoothie side. “Jamba Juice isn’t too pricey and the stores are usually pretty quiet… so talking, sharing testimonies and getting to know each other is simple.”
As popular as it sounds to go to a place to sit down and have coffee or tea for a first date, many students suggested casual activities like exploring, walking or store hopping.
“Brave New World Comics or Barnes and Noble. It’s a generally neutral space… also book girls respect guys who take them to bookstores more, and there’s a higher chance of a second date,” said freshman Myah Gordon.
Kate Hilst, a sophomore, suggested a trip to the Huntington Art Museum. “I’m an artist and I love the idea of sharing something I love with a potential date.” If driving down to Huntington is too much of a commitment, there are always other options, like the much closer Getty Museum.
For Tiffany Lucero, a sophomore, the Getty Museum is a financially friendly location for a student and a great place to go on a first date. “This is perfect for artists and history lovers. It has beautiful gardens and a cafeteria-style dining area.” She does issue one caution that both parties should check with each other’s convictions before checking out the sculptures from the old world.
Junior Margarita Lozano supported this museum date idea with one extra step. “Grab food and then go to a garden or museum. Food is amazing and you need an activity to do with the person so there isn’t a ton of pressure on the date.”
For junior Sofia Omelchenko, a good date means going to the beach. “It’s just a first date and finding someone who enjoys God’s creation as much as you do is important.” One of her favorite aspects of this location is that few things are able to distract people when they are on a date there.
If travel to the beach is a little difficult for scheduling or budgeting, there are other paths which students suggested too.
Michelle Kwong, a junior, pitched the idea of going to a petting farm or a garden. She said, “You can connect with animals and nature and see how your date feels about having pets. You can also see their flower preferences for future gifts…. Animals and plants can be a great distraction if you ever feel a discussion becoming awkward.”
“You can never go wrong admiring God’s creation with someone and getting to know them in a casual setting,” said Bethany Montajes, a junior.
Jean-Calvin Jauregui pitched a classic location, The Cheesecake Factory, as more suitable. “It’s a good restaurant that’s not overly expensive and it has a calm atmosphere that one can relax in.”
Among these ideas lie some common threads and themes that may be helpful to remember when choosing a location to go on a first date.
One, make sure it’s a low-pressure environment. Two, make sure there is a way to cut the tension should it get awkward. Three, make sure you can get to know the other person while the date happens.
But in light of all these locations and activity suggestions, one truth remains clear, that a first date is still purposeful, but it’s not the crux on which everything in existence hangs. So be willing to say yes to a first date and see what happens, because there isn’t much weight that hangs on it.
After all, it’s the second date that you really have to worry about.
The TMU Mane 