I'm sick of taking a woman to the same old usual boring places on a first date.  I date loads of women, mainly because they often turn me off in the early stages or else I don't really feel right with them or have fun on the date.

I can't seem to think of some more interesting places to go on a first date though and I know women are pretty fussy about first dates, at least that's the impression I get.  They want a date where they meet up for an hour and can disappear with a good excuse if they don't like you.

All I can think of though is meeting down a pub, going to a restaurant, going ice skating and stuff like that.  Don't really know what women like.  I'm scared of doing something cheap like going for a walk because women tend to think you are a cheapskate or they turn out to hate walking.

I even saw on one woman's dating profile that she likes to go and feed the ducks in the park.  So I thought that was a good idea.  So I took her to a country house, took some food to feed the ducks and it turned she was scared of birds and screamed and ran away everytime we went near a duck.  That was one hell of a nightmare date!  Does anyone have any ideas of different places to go on a date?  Something more exciting than a pub or restaurant?

Yes, a lot of women can be ‘fussy’ about first dates. Sometimes it’s because they want you to have realised what they like to do (even though you are not a mind-reader!) and other times because they want to feel like they have been ‘swept off their feet’ on a ‘romantic’ date. Either way, sometimes they want brag about to their friends (but not always!!) … how wonderful it was… etc….. It’s hard for a man to ‘live up’ to those expectations!

You did the right thing by taking that woman to a country house where she could feed the ducks….. you were trying to recognise her interests…..it’s just unfortunate that maybe she only liked the ‘familiar’ ducks in her local park and was scared of other birds!?! ;-) It wasn’t your fault; just unfortunate circumstances……

For first dates, I usually like to meet for coffee/a drink at weekend lunchtimes. Then, yes, if we have nothing in common, we can say goodbye amicably. If there might be more, then we have lunch together (I usually judge if the man liked me by if he offered me the lunch menu to read, and if I like him then I will accept lunch).

Don’t worry about being a cheapskate and DO carry on thinking about what your date would like to do. :-)

Thanks for your reply.  That's another thing I debate.  I always debate whether to take her on a date during the day or during the night.

Women don't seem to be too impressed if I offer a morning or afternoon.  They always seem to want to go out on the evening.  I personally prefer to go out on a morning because I'm more of a morning person than an evening person.  By the time I reach 10pm I'm ready for sleep, but then I get up early the next morning and am buzzing.  I can't seem to find too many women keen on that lifestyle.  They all seem to be more into nightclubbing or pubbing and late nights.

I'm a woman, and I agree with what the previous poster said about doing something low-key on a first date, like having a coffee or a drink.  It gives you an opportunity to 'screen' each other and to part amicably if there's not enough interest on either side.  Alternately, if it goes well, you can move on to something a bit later, like dinner or a stroll through the markets or whatever. Other low-key options that could be okay are things like attending a football match or visiting a gallery, depending on the girl.  I think an hour's activity is ok for a first date, with the option of extending it if it goes well, or building the anticipation for later.

I think feeding the ducks sounded like a good plan -- it's casual but has a novelty factor. 

Dinner and the movies is too loaded for a first date, and sitting in the dark without talking, esp if dinner hasn't gone well, could turn out to be a bit of a drag.  It's more of a third date plan.

The reason why some women will be upset if you don't invite them out at night is because it might sound less romantic or as if you aren't into them.  I think that's just youth or insecurity speaking myself.  I reckon save the evening and romance till you're sure you're interested.

Thanks Elli, that really covers a lot of questions that I had and a good explanation too.

I'd just recommend you did your homework on the girl in question (not literally lol ;) )

What one girl would love another may hate..

I always think a dinner and a show is nice, as its relaxed and its together ness if feels awkward in those early stages to know what to say and there is the interval for chatting about the show if can`t think of something else..

Or some may like some fun activity such as ice skating (perfect excuse to hold on to each other without seeming sleezy) that could be fun

Bowling, things like that, so still time to talk whilst some activity to take over if awkward moments...

a nice walk can be nice, a walk in the park can be nice.. although i met a guy for lunch once, he was total gent paid for lunch and everything, then we went for a walk in the park, which i thought could be very nice and stroll and chat.. but instead the guy made it so boring by going on about the botanical name for each plant we saw, the formation of geological things like rocks and stuff, very interesting I'm sure but feelt like a geography field trip rather than a date lol! if it had been nice casual chat that would have been ok lol!

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