A good rule of thumb, if you ask someone out on a date, know where you want to go or what you want to do before you ask them. There are several reasons for this, of course, but the best reason is that people are indecisive. They are never quite sure what they want to do, but will often agree to do something if it sounds like fun.
So for the average teenager who wants to go out on a date, the first issue you should acknowledge is that money is likely to be involved. Whether it’s just paying for gas or picking up the tickets at the movie theater, you’re going to have to budget yourself for a few dollars of spending.
But if you are looking for a date idea that isn’t going to the movies, going to dinner or going to the school dance, then open yourself up to a few creative ideas. For example, if you’re both religious, invite your date to attend your church with you and in return, offer to attend their church service with them. If you are both into sports, find a mutual activity you both enjoy and invite them to do that. In the summertime, water parks are great and you usually only have to worry about cost of admission and a couple of drinks.
If those ideas don’t appeal, try visiting the local zoo – it’s amazing how many people forget how much fun a visit to the zoo can be, as they get older. Check out local guidebooks and see what events take place that are inexpensive and unique to your area. Museums and planetariums also offer laser light shows to music and those are invariably very cheap or no cost at all.
The point of a date is to either spend time with someone you like or to get to know someone you think you might like better. Having a few ideas in mind when you ask them out will help you include them in the decision making, while at the same time avoiding the dreaded “I don’t know” pitfall. Remember, the other key to a date is not just what you spend it doing, but whom you are spending it with. If you both have a good time, chances are there’s going to be a second and a third date. So don’t let lack of dollars or uncertainty stand in your way, find your common ground and let the date take off from there.
