The First Date

Tonight I participated in a twitter chat called #datingchat. The topic tonight was the concept of a date and what dating even means anymore.

While talking to some pretty fun dating bloggers, I started thinking not only about dating in general but specifically the first date.

The first date used to be this huge deal where you awkwardly break the ice and ask all of the get to know you questions. You would dress up, spend hours on your hair and makeup and really try to make a good first impression. This is probably still somewhat true, but the main reason we would put so much effort into the first date was because this could potentially be the first time you meet the person or interact with them on that level.

With technology, is it fair to see that the first day has evolved into something completely different?

Think about it. Say you meet someone at a party and you get their number. Most likely (hopefully) they will text you the next day. You better believe that the first words out of their mouth won't be "so wanna go on a date?" In my experience, the conversation will be a little more drawn out than that. Both people want to get a feel for if they REALLY want to pursue this or not. That's where the texting get to know you conversation starts happening. The awkward questions all seem to get out of the way. So what do you do? Where do you live? You mentioned your sister last night, is she your only sibling? What are you in school for again? Oh, what do you do for fun? All first date topics of conversations being done over the phone via text.

Same goes for online dating. It's like skipping an entire step. Most people don't want to meet up with someone physically until they email them for awhile, but doesn't that take the whole point of dating away??? If you email them for a month ad know all about them, then what the heck are you going to talk about during your first date??? Do you skip right down to religious beliefs, politics, and marriage?

Technology is awesome, but sometimes it sure can take the fun and personal effect out of things.

What are your thoughts on the evolution of the first date? Do you think technology has changed it at all?

Need to work on finding a date to test this theory out.

C