As we watch the Girlfri3nds being taken out by their Chosen Boys for the first time, we ask – what does a first-date venue tell you about a person? Everything!, says match.com’s dating expert Kate Taylor.
From horse-riding, through to boxing, right up to visiting a donkey sanctuary – there’s no doubt that the boys from Girlfri3nds know how to show a girl an unusual time! For those of us not in the Girlfri3nds house, we can also learn a lot about a potential partner from where he chooses to take us on a date.
1. The Show-Off Date
Were you as shocked as we were in the match.com office when Henry took Laura to sketch a naked woman? Or when Robin shocked Amy with his boxing? These boys were just following a natural male urge to impress their partner by displaying their prowess. This is what’s going on if a new partner suggests you go to watch him play football, or to challenge him at bowling or tennis. Unless it’s an interest you share, a show-off date might feel dull and impersonal – but don’t be offended: when a man wants to impress you, he likes you.
2. The Conversational Date
When a man is sure of his own conversation skills, he’ll take you somewhere you can talk. Shy men hide behind tickets to noisy venues like the cinema or a concert, but charmers prefer quiet locations like restaurants, beautiful country parks, or Donkey Sanctuaries! Yes, Thomas brought Amy to the quiet, secluded sanctuary because it was somewhere he could open up about his past, and reveal his feelings. He is also looking for a partner he can banter with – as is Sam, who charmed his way into Sarah’s heart with his simple, laughter-filled restaurant date.
3. The “Romantic” Date
You know a man has put you on a pedestal when he wheels out a traditionally “feminine” activity. Picnics, castles, firework displays and evening ice-skating are all fairytale-style dates that reveal a man is dazzled by your beauty and hasn’t yet given much thought to your brain. When Nathan took Sarah out on a boat, he was trying to provide the type of date he thinks she’d like because she’s a girl. When Sarah grabbed the wheel herself, she was firmly showing that she wants to be an equal partner in a relationship. Similarly, when Sam took Laura around Nottingham Castle, she was bored. Sadly, generically “girly” dates just aren’t flattering.
4. The Action Date
No surprise Laura fell for George when he took her to a Vietnamese cookery lesson – our brain’s dopamine levels get a boost when we try new things, and dopamine is a BIG boost to attraction. Similarly, she was impressed on her studio-dance date with Gurpreet. When a man takes you on an activity date – like dancing, a pedolo, paintballing, learning a new skill, or wine-tasting -- he’s showing you he’d be a fun, adventurous partner-in-crime. And that he’s modest: he doesn’t assume his mere presence is “enough”, but looks for fun activities you can enjoy together. Nice!
5. The Personalised Date
The time a man spends on you is worth infinitely more than the money, which is why we all sighed happily when Charlie B baked Amy cup-cakes. Little personal touches like these show you that a new partner is caring, thoughtful and giving. So next time a man makes an effort to personalise a date – by remembering you prefer white roses to red ones, or bringing your favourite childhood sweets, or playing your song in the car, or making you an old-school mix-tape – realise he’s a keeper. In the days of slick-charmers and sweet-talkers, thoughtful guys can get overlooked. But appreciate them – they’re as sweet and comforting as that cake, and hopefully, can be just as fun…..!
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