Inexpensive Date Ideas on where to go
61from the lint collection
Your pockets are turned inside out and you shake the lint and sand out of last weekend’s self assessment walk on the beach (or where ever you like to walk to contemplate your life). Your job hums at the fore of your mind, and your noggin’s busy chatter dims a little as you incoherently mutter a tense jawed expletive as you watch that last bit of lint slowly float down to the top of your shoe. The lint lands—silence.
Your mind brings you to the cutie you just asked out while shopping at the local supermarket. Maybe you met this person at a bar, or walking home and you commented on the “wow! You have such cute dog!” You both spoke for a few minutes and excitedly exchanged numbers and next thing you know you have a potential date but no where to go to spend that extra lint you just shook out of your pockets.
1) Meet at your local farmer’s market. There is no shortage of conversation at the farmer’s market and the free samples abound. Since many of the vendors there are local, fresh, organic, or self-sustaining, you will have plenty of opportunity to have meaningful conversations about food.
2) A nature trail hike. An easy to very moderate hike and fresh air will give you both time to relax and forget the work week. The exercise will boost your mood and with any luck a sense of connection will develop between the two of you.
3) A local festival, (i.e., music festival, arts and crafts, or anything that exclaims festival!). Choose a festival with free entrance. Pack a picnic so when you both get a little hungry you have sandwiches to munch on. Be sure to ask your date if he/she is OK with the idea of you making food and if things are fine get her/his order just right by asking. You can always buy good picnic food at the supermarket. If you have a thermos fill it with a refreshing beverage.
4) A poetry or book reading. Sure, your eyes might collapse in on themselves or you could be inspired to become the newest Hemmingway.
5) An outdoor free movie night. These typically happen during the summer months but be sure to take a blanket if the night turns cool plus the blanket serves as a great excuse to cozy up.
Now bend down and pick up that lint from off your shoe. Go with confidence.
