Perfect Date

[ThatReallyHurt]

Originally Posted by Soldier

Well, we're not necessarily talking about the first date here...what would be your perfect date now, with your wife? (Keep it PG, please.)

PG? You insult me, sir!

A perfect date would be something where we went out for a nice dinner at one of our favourite restaurants, then to a movie/play/comedy show, a bit of a walk on a calm, clear, cool evening (one of those where the stars are bright and stand still), then a stop on a park bench to sit and chat where you have to sit with your arms around each other to stay warm.

That sort of thing - we both consider being able to talk without yelling to be a pretty important part of a date. Neither of us are into extreme sports or anything like that, so yeah, something relaxing where we can walk slowly and talk about anything and/or nothing is very good. There aren't any beaches near us, but we've taken a few holidays out in the sticks by beaches, and you know, there's nothing like walking hand in hand, barefoot in the sand under a moonless sky - stars and auroras blazing down from above, bright enough to shimmer off the water. The loons calling to each other... the sound of the waves gently breaking on the beach, the odd splash as a bird, fish, or frog breaks the surface of the water...

Are beaches on the ocean like that?

[mrbiggs]

Originally Posted by ThatReallyHurt

That sort of thing - we both consider being able to talk without yelling to be a pretty important part of a date. Neither of us are into extreme sports or anything like that, so yeah, something relaxing where we can walk slowly and talk about anything and/or nothing is very good. There aren't any beaches near us, but we've taken a few holidays out in the sticks by beaches, and you know, there's nothing like walking hand in hand, barefoot in the sand under a moonless sky - stars and auroras blazing down from above, bright enough to shimmer off the water. The loons calling to each other... the sound of the waves gently breaking on the beach, the odd splash as a bird, fish, or frog breaks the surface of the water...

Are beaches on the ocean like that?

*wipes tear from eye*

Beaches near ME aren't like that, unless I make the trip to Cape Cod. Damn rocks.

[D+F+P=Hadouken!]

Originally Posted by Beeblebrox

Why do you need a date? This sounds like your every night!

Touche!!!!

[BrianH]

Originally Posted by Soldier

Well, we're not necessarily talking about the first date here...what would be your perfect date now, with your wife?

I think last night was pretty nice. We went to dinner at the nicest restaurant in town, on pilings out over the river so we could watch the ship traffic, the cormorants and eagles, and later the sun setting over the ocean.The entrees were more expensive than we are used to, so we ordered salads and three appetizers: crab cakes, sea scallops and the best spring rolls I have ever had, filled with fried mushrooms and vegetables. My wife's salad was mixed greens, with gorgonzola- apple cider vinagrette with apples and walnuts, and mine was baby spinach leaves with yogurt-dill dressing with mushrooms and slivers of parmesan.The waitress (one of my epee students) brought out a basket of warm focaccia and we had balsamic vinegar and olive oil to dip it in. By the time the sun set, we were finishing with a warm blackberry cobbler under puff pastry and real vanilla ice cream and coffee.

When we got home, we watched a taped Inspector Lynley mystery, from a book we had both read so we knew the plot and all the characters.We pointed out clues to DI Lynley and DS Havers when they didn't notice them. After that, we had a glass of wine and talked, then read until bedtime and listened to jazz. It's nice to think that after 35 years of marriage we still have interesting things to talk about.

[noodle]

Originally Posted by Beeblebrox

Why do you need a date? This sounds like your every night!

...cheap prostitutes?

[Zelda]

Perfect date??? Sigh......
If I could have had the weather last night, balmy, still and just generally gorgeous, the Italian cafe/bar that I went to, but not necessarily the group...would rather someone special. Start with a show (Mamma Mia was on just down the street), then a wander up to the resturant, a nice slow meal outside on a table set slightly away from everyone else. Maybe some nice wine. Then a walk along the Yarra people watching, followed by nightcap and chocolates at a gorgeous hotel room, with city and water views.

[Ryne]

She pays for everything.

[parrythis]

Sex first, then dinner.

Then more sex.

Then breakfast.

Then more sex.

[grphiw]

April 25th, because it's not too hot and not too cold, all you need is a light jacket.

[VorpalCat]

Originally Posted by grphiw

April 25th, because it's not too hot and not too cold, all you need is a light jacket.

*snort* I love that scene.

[AndrastVitesse]

Originally Posted by grphiw

April 25th, because it's not too hot and not too cold, all you need is a light jacket.

hahahahaha cracks me up everytime!

[Lady Riposter]

Anything romantic that he planned all by himself...preferably that doesn't involve me cooking.

My boyfriend should feel free to choose things from the following list as well as make some up himself. Anyone want to send this list to him? (Just kidding - don't! He does well on his own!)

A nice meal by candlelight, either in a restaurant or home-cooked. Cocktails. Champagne and strawberries. If the weather is mild, a walk, preferably NOT through the city centre. Go to the theatre or maybe watch a film. Go dancing (not at a club, something like swing, ballroom or salsa dancing). A picnic.

I'm also a fan of surprises. Flowers for no reason, turning up just to watch a film at his place just to find that he's got a yummy dessert like chocolate mousse or strawberries waiting there. One of the best surprises would be to go over to his place and find out that he's actually tidied the place up!

[Pointy]

Ok, let's try a hand at this.

Pick her up, give her a single flower (maybe a rose but that's getting corny -- maybe a daisy or an orchid or a cattleya).

Drive to a good restaurant (reservations made weeks ago).

Dinner at a nice/half-decent place. Maybe a bit of white wine (perhaps a slightly fruity Gewurtztraminer) with the appetizers, some good appetizers (prosciutto wrapped fresh pears are a good option), and a bang-on main course. Oh, and wine with the main course -- maybe a nice Australian cabernet sauvignon? The Hardy's stamp series is good.

At least one candle on the table (and not just one of those stupid tea lights) and the lights in the restaurant turned low.

Yes, conversation -- the conversation should flow quite nicely about everything and nothing.

Dessert -- some ice wine with dessert or maybe a pear "wine"/liqueur. Creme brulee maybe for dessert?

Then, after a dinner that lasts maybe 2-3 hours (but only seems like half an hour), perhaps a show. Maybe a play by Oscar Wilde?

After the play/show, a walk along a canal (well-lit, just in case there are muggers!) and towards a late night cafe or wine bar. A further conversation of another few hours fuelled by chocolate, martinis (and definitely chocolate martinis), and other sweets.

At the end of the date, drop her off and get a goodnight kiss at the door.

Yes, I know -- no sex but then again, this should just make things more interesting when it happens!

(Oh, and one more thing -- at the door, make plans to see her again)

[HillBilly]

Originally Posted by grphiw

April 25th, because it's not too hot and not too cold, all you need is a light jacket.

dude... that's my birthday.... sketch...

my perfect date? someone who has a life.

[Svidrigailov]

this is a pretty international crowd, so I might as well ask...do people date outside the USA the same way people date in the USA? I currently live in teh states, but have also lived in Costa Rica and Spain...and people don't really date there. They go out...but not on dates usually. If they do, its a lot less common, and even if you do something with a girl you like...there's no weird "date" feeling I get with american girls...people are just friends, until they're not I guess. The whole idea of a date seems so contrived to me...and it seems that what's cool about being with a girl is spontenaity (sp?) ... and the date kills this.

[Cipher]

Originally Posted by Svidrigailov

this is a pretty international crowd, so I might as well ask...do people date outside the USA the same way people date in the USA? I currently live in teh states, but have also lived in Costa Rica and Spain...and people don't really date there. They go out...but not on dates usually. If they do, its a lot less common, and even if you do something with a girl you like...there's no weird "date" feeling I get with american girls...people are just friends, until they're not I guess. The whole idea of a date seems so contrived to me...and it seems that what's cool about being with a girl is spontenaity (sp?) ... and the date kills this.

I found that in eastern Russia, dating is quite different. Dates are something that you do one on one only if you have been mutually exclusive for an extended period of time. Otherwise it's usually a few of her friends and a few of your friends get together and do something... dinner, movie, dancing, bar hopping, whatever. It doesn't get that weird awkwardness that can happen sometimes with traditional American dating.

[Soldier]

Originally Posted by Pointy

After the play/show, a walk along a canal (well-lit, just in case there are muggers!) and towards a late night cafe or wine bar. A further conversation of another few hours fuelled by chocolate, martinis (and definitely chocolate martinis), and other sweets.

Poorly lit, but well-armed. That way you've got the whole saving-her-from-danger thing going for you.

[cornflower]

Originally Posted by Cipher

I don't think there is a "perfect" date. It all depends on what you are in the mood for. No one likes the same thing all the time.

Agreed. Every situation is different... it all depends on the mood and atmosphere.

[Westley]

Cornflower!!!!! Cornflower Cornflower Cornflower Cornflower


CORNFLOWER!!!!!!!

[Westley]

Sorry.

I quite agree with the aforementioned post by Cornflower that blah blah blah atmosphere is important. Especially in 1st person shooters.