Good date idea? (ladies input wanted)

[dizza]

Okay I guess I'll start by bringing you up to speed. I linked up with a girl via facebook that was best friends with my old college roomates ex-girlfriend. My roomate dated her best friend back in our junior year in college. We knew each other and hung out in rather large social gatherings 2 or 3 times but never really got to know each other in any one on one situations, but I was always attracted to her from when we first met. Plus I was very busy at the time and didn't have time to hang out with all of them that much so I never really knew her too well.

 

So after a week or so of chatting via facebook/text/phone we met up for our first date. It went extremely smooth! We met up at a park here in Chicago where we were able to talk for awhile and catch up on things. We went for dinner at a place she picked which was really good. After that we decided to go see a movie, and she really wanted to see that new Leo Dicaprio movie so we went to see that. Night ends, small peck on the lips, solid date. She calls me first thing the next morning saying she had a blast and if I was free this coming weekend.

 

Fast forward, this Sunday we have date # 2 planned. I feel she did a lot of the planning for date #1 and I remember her mentioning a guy she used to see who was very indecisive and that resulted in the ending of their relationship because it turned her off. I'm more of a on the fly spontaneous guy but I can plan things out effectively and don't want to end up like that other guy lol.

 

So I want to control date #2. I am 25 and she is 26 years old, and I remember her saying she hasn't been to a water park in years and has been wanting to go to one for the longest time. So I was thinking of taking her to this water park here in Illinois b/c it's supposed to be great weather Sunday.

 

is this a bad choice for a second date? Honest opinions ladies! It's about a hour drive away so it will give us some nice time to talk on the drive but I'm worried since we'll be both soaked in bathing suits where would the rest of the night go? We live like 35 minutes from each other and it would be a pain in the neck to have to drop her off to go shower and meet up again for dinner.

 

Is this too immature for a second date? Is a date like this at a water park too soon for a second date? If you think it is, I am open for any suggestions for anything to do outside on a really nice day on a second date? because I do not want to mess this one up!! I want to plan something nice/ a lot of fun and shock her! Thanks

[bobdole]

I had a waterpark date as date #2 about a month ago, but that girl turned out kinda weird. She had suggested it, but I think most girls think if you're taking them to the waterpark you just want to get a closer look at what they'd look like naked - Which is true.. but I also love water parks.. hehe.

 

So... really depends on the girl I guess.

[dizza]

I had a waterpark date as date #2 about a month ago, but that girl turned out kinda weird. She had suggested it, but I think most girls think if you're taking them to the waterpark you just want to get a closer look at what they'd look like naked - Which is true.. but I also love water parks.. hehe.

 

So... really depends on the girl I guess.

 

yeah so how did the date itself go? Too bad she was weird lol. Yeah I do want a closer look ( who wouldn't?) but that's not the reason I'm taking her, so I don't want to come off as a weirdo lol. I also love water parks too!

[FryFish]

What is her skin type? If she does bad in the sun she WONT enjoy the water park... And can you hold your own with your shirt off? Girls can be forgiving of a little flab... in private but if you arent rocking a six pack you might not want to... Hmm, a better gauge: have you EVER picked up a chick with your shirt off?

[dizza]

What is her skin type? If she does bad in the sun she WONT enjoy the water park... And can you hold your own with your shirt off? Girls can be forgiving of a little flab... in private but if you arent rocking a six pack you might not want to... Hmm, a better gauge: have you EVER picked up a chick with your shirt off?

 

she has a tan complexion. I work out everyday and I do have a 6 pack so there is no insecurity coming from my angle. No flab at all. But I dont go around with my shirt off so never picked up a chick with my shirt off though lol

[FryFish]

Then it sounds like the perfect second date... as long as you can pretend you dont see any other girls while you are out you can probably nail her at the end of the night.

[zengirl]

Fast forward, this Sunday we have date # 2 planned. I feel she did a lot of the planning for date #1 and I remember her mentioning a guy she used to see who was very indecisive and that resulted in the ending of their relationship because it turned her off. I'm more of a on the fly spontaneous guy but I can plan things out effectively and don't want to end up like that other guy lol.

 

So I want to control date #2. I am 25 and she is 26 years old, and I remember her saying she hasn't been to a water park in years and has been wanting to go to one for the longest time. So I was thinking of taking her to this water park here in Illinois b/c it's supposed to be great weather Sunday.

 

is this a bad choice for a second date? Honest opinions ladies! It's about a hour drive away so it will give us some nice time to talk on the drive but I'm worried since we'll be both soaked in bathing suits where would the rest of the night go? We live like 35 minutes from each other and it would be a pain in the neck to have to drop her off to go shower and meet up again for dinner.

 

Is this too immature for a second date? Is a date like this at a water park too soon for a second date? If you think it is, I am open for any suggestions for anything to do outside on a really nice day on a second date? because I do not want to mess this one up!! I want to plan something nice/ a lot of fun and shock her! Thanks

 

So: First date was dinner and a movie. Not the world's best (nor do I think a movie is super awesome in the beginning in a general sense), but I think it gets needlessly dissed. The truth is I'm sure many relationships have started with dinner and a movie. (This is kind of like dissing people doing to the beach on vacation. Sure, it's a cliche idea and loads of people do it. But who cares?)

 

Now you seem to be going into some sort of overdrive thought-wise. Is this because she planned things? Because the first date was cliche? It went well, no? It got exactly what you want out of a first date---a second date.

 

For your actual question, depending on the type of girl I don't think "shocked" is a great thing to go for. If you really like the girl, I'd always say plan something that is fun and surprising enough without being too fun and surprising. And something that you or she would sincerely like to do.

 

As for the water park. I'm not a fan of the water park idea itself. As a gal, here's what I'd think:

 

1. He planned this because he has some need to see me in a bathing suit to check me out immediately (the parts regular clothes hide) and he's terribly shallow.

 

2. Being soaked in chlorinated water on a long-drive to get home and shower with a fellow I don't know well yet sounds stressful. I wouldn't really want to grab dinner after, as generally, a day at a water park makes me tired. Being around new people, particularly people I view romantically, when I'm sun-tired and worn-out makes me stressed.

 

It also doesn't strike me as terribly romantic. I think it sounds like a fun thing to do once you're in a relationship as a day away. But as a second date? No, I wouldn't dig it. And actually I'd actively oppose it, either by saying I wasn't into it, or not going out with the fellow if I got #1 vibe too strongly (even though I look damn hot in a bathing suit).

 

I've gone to the beach on early dates, but it was always more around the beach -- lunch, a walk, some time on the beach -- more than active play-in-the-sun. And my bathing suit stayed covered by something else. I want to be able to be pretty and demure on the first few dates and be able to talk to the person and really get to know them.

 

This is all just me. But if you want to plan something entirely and then surprise the gal, something that could potentially have downsides isn't the way to go. This is the kind of date to "suggest" and feel her out about, which seems to not be what you want to do with this Take-Charge Date 2 of yours.

[dizza]

So: First date was dinner and a movie. Not the world's best (nor do I think a movie is super awesome in the beginning in a general sense), but I think it gets needlessly dissed. The truth is I'm sure many relationships have started with dinner and a movie. (This is kind of like dissing people doing to the beach on vacation. Sure, it's a cliche idea and loads of people do it. But who cares?)

 

Now you seem to be going into some sort of overdrive thought-wise. Is this because she planned things? Because the first date was cliche? It went well, no? It got exactly what you want out of a first date---a second date.

 

For your actual question, depending on the type of girl I don't think "shocked" is a great thing to go for. If you really like the girl, I'd always say plan something that is fun and surprising enough without being too fun and surprising. And something that you or she would sincerely like to do.

 

As for the water park. I'm not a fan of the water park idea itself. As a gal, here's what I'd think:

 

1. He planned this because he has some need to see me in a bathing suit to check me out immediately (the parts regular clothes hide) and he's terribly shallow.

 

2. Being soaked in chlorinated water on a long-drive to get home and shower with a fellow I don't know well yet sounds stressful. I wouldn't really want to grab dinner after, as generally, a day at a water park makes me tired. Being around new people, particularly people I view romantically, when I'm sun-tired and worn-out makes me stressed.

 

It also doesn't strike me as terribly romantic. I think it sounds like a fun thing to do once you're in a relationship as a day away. But as a second date? No, I wouldn't dig it. And actually I'd actively oppose it, either by saying I wasn't into it, or not going out with the fellow if I got #1 vibe too strongly (even though I look damn hot in a bathing suit).

 

I've gone to the beach on early dates, but it was always more around the beach -- lunch, a walk, some time on the beach -- more than active play-in-the-sun. And my bathing suit stayed covered by something else. I want to be able to be pretty and demure on the first few dates and be able to talk to the person and really get to know them.

 

This is all just me. But if you want to plan something entirely and then surprise the gal, something that could potentially have downsides isn't the way to go. This is the kind of date to "suggest" and feel her out about, which seems to not be what you want to do with this Take-Charge Date 2 of yours.

 

see this is why I needed a girls viewpoint! Lol.. totally different from what the guys on here said thats b/c we all think alike...I read through everything you said and this could be a potential disaster lol..so what would be a safe bet but yet still outdoors 2nd date?

[You Go Girl]

You're in Chicago? Then take her to a music festival if there is one going on downtown. Or to Navy Pier. Or to an art exhibit, with lunch, a walk in Millenium Park. There's a million things to do downtown.

[zengirl]

see this is why I needed a girls viewpoint! Lol.. totally different from what the guys on here said thats b/c we all think alike...I read through everything you said and this could be a potential disaster lol..so what would be a safe bet but yet still outdoors 2nd date?

 

It really depends on the girl. Most outdoor dates work because they aren't terribly safe generalization wise, but you know enough about the girl to suggest it. These are all safe-ish, but what does "Safe" really mean:

 

I've gone hiking on a date. Packed a picnic with us and hiked to somewhere. Not that early in dating, though. It might raise an eyebrow, as I don't get to be "pretty" which is fun to do especially in early dating.

 

I like general theme parks, but they're a bit pricey for an early date.

 

Mini golf is a favorite of mine, but some people find it juvenile.

 

The best early date (1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th) I ever went on was to the zoo. It happened to be a really cool zoo tucked in a really cool neighborhood and we grabbed sushi afterward. We also had excellent compatibility, so it wasn't really the event that made it awesome, but it was a really fun day.

 

I don't know what there is to do in Illinois or what this girl likes. They key is to find mutual interests and then start doing those things.

 

If you don't know enough about the girl to suggest an original date that you think is "safe" by her, I suggest going slightly less original. I've never heard a girl tell me she didn't go on a 3rd date with a fellow because he didn't plan big crazy dates. And big crazy dates only work when they work. And they fall flat when they fall flat.

[zengirl]

You're in Chicago? Then take her to a music festival if there is one going on downtown. Or to Navy Pier. Or to an art exhibit, with lunch, a walk in Millenium Park. There's a million things to do downtown.

 

This all sounds good to me.

[bobdole]

yeah so how did the date itself go? Too bad she was weird lol. Yeah I do want a closer look ( who wouldn't?) but that's not the reason I'm taking her, so I don't want to come off as a weirdo lol. I also love water parks too!

 

 

The actual date went just fine. One danger to be aware of though - if you like me and "salute" at a light brush from her - you may want to reconsider swimsuit dates too

[torranceshipman]

Hmmm....the water part idea does sound cool, but I personally wouldn't be comfortable doing that on date 2 (I am not sure why!). I'd leave that as a surprise for maybe date 7 or 8 if things continue to go well, as I think it sounds like a really cool thing to do. Do you have anywhere that shows outdoor movies, or outdoor theater? That can be super cool, often it isnt so expensive, and it is very romantic.

 

You sound like a nice guy to be planning this so much

[Eeyore79]

I've had several dates which didn't go well for various reasons, and it had little effect on whether I continued dating the guy or not. If I liked him, I dated him - if I wasn't keen, then it didn't matter how good the date was.

 

I don't think I'd be keen on going to a water park with a new man though; I want to look pretty, and don't want him to see every bit of flab and my mascara running down my face.

[O'Malley]

Most water parks have shower/changing facilities, so it wouldn't be an issue if she knew in advance -- it's just she might not be comfortable in a swimsuit around you this early on. Save it for a date further down the line, and when you do suggest it, offer another option as well.

 

Chicago always has concerts and festivals occurring on summer weekends... think about going to one of those instead. New restaurants and nightclubs are always opening. Stroll around the Brookfield Zoo or a park in the morning and you can discuss where you both would like to go. I can't recall where the closest drive in movie theatre would be, but that's another great idea as well. If she really enjoys spending time with you she's not going to be put off with your lack of rock solid plans.