Most perpetual daters know that ordinary dates lead to an ordinary, sometimes dull, relationship, no matter how much they want the exceptional and extraordinary. And with a tight budget, heavy class load and time-consuming jobs, it often feels impossible to change the course of our college love lives and break out of the dating doldrums.
I, for one, got sick of standard dates about three months after a guy invited me over to watch a surfing movie. It was a good stab at being creative, but the “dates” that followed weren’t as alluring. We got into the routine of doing homework together and grabbing cheap bites to eat, but the school-bus-yellow booths at Subway didn’t exactly stir up romantic feelings.
I had decided there was little hope for creative sparks to fly on dates until a guy back home (we’ll call him Prince Charming) proved me wrong. He used an all-out dating strategy: He took me 92 He even kidnapped me after work for a thrilling evening out on the town. After a few weeks of dating Prince Charming, I discovered the creative potential of dates. If you’re a firm believer that dates should be extraordinary, here’s a new look at the dating scene.
Daring dinners
Tried and true is becoming old hat. Dinner out can still be the old standby, just add a new twist to avoid falling into a rut. If you’re craving dinner out, steer clear from your favorite haunt and instead let a coin decide your fate. Hop in the car and flip a coin at every intersection. Turn right for heads and left for tails until you arrive at a new culinary destination. Look for one that begs you to try a new ethnic cuisine. Be daring.
A variation of the other cornerstone of dating – dinner and a movie – is to change the time. Ask your date to brunch and a matinee. Studio One, GJ’S and the Glenwood all have hearty breakfast menus for frugal diners. Fill up on waffles and eggs Benedict before heading out to the latest blockbuster.
To mix up dinner and a movie at home, rent an entire season of a show (or if you’re really ambitious, an entire series) and have a theme night. You’ve probably already watched “Sex and the City” and made cosmopolitans, but since we’re thinking outside the box, jump back a few years. Rent “The Cosby Show” and make Cliff Huxtable hoagies. Or, invite your significant other over for Saturday morning cartoons and a big bowl of Cocoa Puffs. If you’re hankering for an oldie but goodie, try to find “Duck Tales,” “Darkwing Duck” or “Chip ‘N Dale Rescue Rangers.” You’ll be laughing in no time as you reminisce about your nerdy childhood tendencies. For new relationships, these options also make for great group dates to help you ease into your newfound love.
Dollar dates
The wallet, the gas tank and all your ideas are running on empty: Impressing a date with dinner at Burrito Boy isn’t easy. Nor is it satisfying when you’re relegated to Top Ramen for a week because you splurged on a full-course meal at Cafe Zenon. But with a little planning, an array of creative dates as cheap as McDonald’s dollar menu are possible.
Take the “dollar date.” Pick up your date and take a trip to a big store such as Borders, Target or Wal- Mart. When you arrive, set a small price range ($5-$10 works well) and time limit. The task: Buy your date as many quirky gifts as possible for the suggested price, before the time runs out. This activity is always memorable, especially when your date buys you Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen lip-gloss and a 99-cent DVD starring a young and dapper Hugh Grant.
Then there’s the best-priced date of all – free. Spend an afternoon of art appreciation at the Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art, wander the Saturday Market and people watch, or listen to a reading at a local bookstore. If music is more your style, try Jazz Night Monday through Thursday nights at Jo Federigo’s Restaurant and Jazz Club. It’s good music in a classy place, and it’s free of charge.
Fresh air
You’re feeling trapped inside, and your date is begging for a change of pace. We live in an outdoor-oriented city, so spend a day asking outdoorsy looking locals and friends about Eugene’s first-rate outdoor scene. Then, take their advice and get out of the indoor dating scene. Pack a picnic and hike to the top of Spencer Butte or Mt. Pisgah. Go for a night jog at Hayward Field then snag a sundae at Prince Puckler’s. To add a little romance to your sporty outing, eat it in the bleachers as you watch the shooting stars.
If you’re an outdoor enthusiast, try playing instructor and teach your significant other the fundamentals of rock climbing at the Columns or fly-fishing on the Willamette. Let your date experience your passion, but don’t forget to practice patience, it’s the key when working with a novice.
If you’re looking to get outdoors and outside of Eugene, take a drive. The mountains and the beaches are all a couple hours away and provide the chance to get away from our little college town. Make the drive more interesting by bringing some mixed CDs or a book of fun questions to get you talking. Do some research beforehand and find out what the towns have to offer in the way of activities, food and even lodging if you’re feeling spendy. Some great destinations are Smith Rock, Newport Beach and Cougar Hot Springs. Try making it out once a month to mix up your old routine.
After a few dates, or even a few years of dating, couples typically hit a dating rut. Almost three years later, I’m still with Prince Charming but lately we’ve had to try a little harder to come up with new, creative dates. He even had to buy me a book filled with someone else’s ideas to clear our creative block, proving that when you’re in a dating rut, there’s always a solution.
Ashley Griffin is a senior at the University.
