THE LIST OF FIRST DATE IDEAS - FUN & INEXPENSIVE

The coffee on the table was cold with ice pieces watering it down. The plastic glass that it came in had her name and the company logo on it. They were both comfortably sitting in a remote corner of the café and while she was talking a lot, it was clearly visible that she was nervous like hell.

He occasionally asked a question, she answered, he commented and vice-verse. They were trying to get to know each other. This was their official first date together.

As they parted and she slowly walked back to her house, en route she started analysing the whole meet-up. He was funny, adorably cute, intelligent, but something was amiss. Over and over, she tried to nail it on something and it finally occurred to her. That damn coffee place with its commercial set up and phoney atmosphere. Bingo!

So, while her family and friends wanted to know the juicy details about the date, she asked them to give her their ideal first date ideas. She was searching for something more than the usual in a person and a date and the power of a worthy lunch/dinner date in a restaurant/café was only diming her enthusiasm. As the ideas flowed in, she made a handy list.

1. Take a train/bus/metro ride together, because traveling in Mumbai is a pain and yet, so many times you get to see so many beautiful things, people on your commute.

2. Visit a famous museum or a book store because it is peaceful and fun to explore things, get to know our history, find various gems.

3. Sit quietly and watch vehicles going to and fro, marvel at a building or the change of colours in the sky at sunset or envy the sea on marine drive.

4. Shop or just window shop, but only to the point where it doesn’t get boring.

5. Dance. Goofy or just rhythmic to the beat. Let your hair down and chill.

6. Make paper airplanes and fly them. OK, later, go and fetch them as well. Because, we need a #Swachh Bharat

7. Go to a place where you can paint/draw/write poems or doodle.

8. Attend a fair and sit in a giant wheel or go to an amusement park like Imagica or Essel World or attend a festival - Kala Ghoda/Sunburn/Comic Con.

9. Try go karting or paintball or any of the board games.

10. 11. 12…..23. 24. 25.

26. Take a hike together.

She realised there were so many many more ways to make the first date memorable. The point was to comfortably put oneself out there and get to know the other person that is sharing the moment with you.

He called the following week. While talking to him, she quickly looked at her list. I bet by now you know they aren’t going to a restaurant.