Fall-ing for you: autumn dating made simple
It’s hard enough for a person to ask someone they like on a date, but even after hurdling that obstacle there’s work to be done.
Many people find dating in the summer or winter easy to do; there are plenty of appropriate seasonal activities. But in the fall, planning a date gets harder according to Mekenzi Cornwell.
Cornwell, a junior majoring in family, consumer and human development, said she prefers dates that break the standard mold of dinner and a movie.
“I think doing things outside in the fall is always a blast because it’s so pretty this time of year,” Cornwell said. “I like it when activities are spontaneous.”
She said her favorite dates have stemmed from creativity, and themed dates are one way to make planning easier. On these kinds of dates, after a person chooses a theme, all activities correlate with that theme. For example on a Halloween-themed date activities could include dressing up in costumes, carving pumpkins or playing pranks on friends.
“Themed dates are so much fun,” Cornwell said. “First, dates can be awkward sometimes, but the winter-themed one I went on was out of the box and a total blast.”
Matt Hauck, a senior majoring in business management, said he likes taking dates on a picnic in an elevator.
“You just put caution tape over the door and if someone accidentally pushes it, they’re really confused,” Hauck said.
Hauck uses fall date ideas, such as playing pool at the Fieldhouse, going shooting, having a marshmallow war, feeding the ducks at Second Dam, going to concerts, finger painting, going to the zoo, having a treasure hunt, walking around shops on Main Street or having a bonfire.
Senior Jake Andersen, majoring in business marketing, said Logan Canyon provides multiple options for dates. Along with building a bonfire, he said you can make tin-foil dinners or go fishing at Second Dam. He also said he likes hiking to the Wind Caves with hot chocolate or doing something simple like walking to a park and sitting on the swings.
“I really like dates that create a good environment to get to know the other person,” Andersen said. “I don’t really like movies or performances, where you have to just sit there and can’t talk to the person, unless you’ve been dating for a while.”
Cornwell isn’t a fan of movie dates either. She also said people should be cautious when going to concerts or sporting events.
“If you’re going on a date, you should get to know that person,” Cornwell said. “It’s hard to get to know people when you’re distracted, wanting to watch the game. Sports are good, just not for dates.”
Cornwell said there are many fun dating activities that are particular to Cache Valley.
“If your date is from out of town, take them to places specific to Logan,” Cornwell said. “Take them to campus, Angie’s (or) Aggie Ice Cream. Show them the True Aggie A.”
A good attitude is also key when dating, Cornwell said.
“High school is (when you’re) dating for fun,” she said. “But now, you’re dating for keeps. You have to be open minded and available. There have been multiple times where my first impression is, ‘Nope, not feeling it,’ but some of those people have become some of my best friends.”
In addition to planning dates that invite communication, Andersen said he tries to do things his dates will enjoy, but even if the activity isn’t great, the attitude of the person he’s with determines how the date goes.
“I want to make sure it’s an activity that’s enjoyable, but I want a girl that can have fun no matter what we do,” Andersen said. “The crappiest dates I’ve been on are when a girl thinks the activities are stupid or doesn’t even try to do what I had planned.”
Jon Jones, a junior majoring in environmental soil science, said dates are a good way to find common interests between you and another person.
“I obsess about cooking, so for one of my first dates we’re going to make dinner so I can see if it’s fun to cook with her,” Jones said. “You know what you’re looking for, and so you do things on dates to see if that matches with the other person.”
Some of the funnest dates Jones said he’s gone on were ones where he and his date had common interests and felt emotionally connected.
“The best dates feel like you’re just two people having a fun time together, when it’s way chill, and there’s not any weird apprehension or anxiety,” Jones said. “Usually it’s more about who you’re with than what you’re doing.”
– m.noble@aggiemail.usu.edu