By Sam at Flirtify
If you’ve seen the new Heineken ad, you’ll know why it’s all over the internet at the moment: in a nutshell, their ‘social experiment’ puts two deeply incompatible people together with the challenge to build a bar. The big twist is that although they have completely opposing views, they get to know each other and talk through their differences. N’aw.
We’re sure you’ll have much more in common with any dates you get to know this Spring (Flirtify is a great way of finding people who share the same interests as you!), but it still got us thinking… maybe going on more ‘challenging’ dates will separate the wheat from the chaff, so to speak?
Sure, the chances of having people walk out on you may significantly increase, but the chances of a lukewarm date are dramatically decreased too. Think of it as a form of quality control.
If you’re bored of the coffee/cinema status-quo, here are 10 more testing date ideas that you could try (use at your own risk):
1. Rock Climbing
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You know those office trust exercises where you fall back and expect people to catch you? Rock climbing is basically one of those, especially if your date is expected to belay for you (essentially anchor you to the ground).
This idea will test your date on a multitude of levels; you can monitor their strength, and their reaction to your consistent sweating. You can also watch their crisis management skills kick into gear as you have a panic attack 10 feet off the ground.
2. Quirky Restaurants…
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If you’re looking for more than the usual meat and two veg, why not go for a more bizarre dining experience? There are plenty of weird choices out there - micro courses, insect bars, dining in the dark – you name it.
Though the menu might not be to your appetite, at least you’ll always have something to talk about. And who knows: maybe a bowl of charcoal–infused carrots will bring you closer together.
3. …or maybe even Cooking Together
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Once you’ve found your way around their gas oven (who has one of those anymore?!) you’re all ready to create a candlelit masterpiece for two; why not make it a bit more interesting?
Whether you turn it into a ‘Come Dine With Me’-style competition, or try cooking together, there’s only one golden rule – no food poisoning (especially if you’re planning on staying the night).
4. Gool ol’ DIY
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Whether you’re building a bar or a BILLY bookcase, we all know the IKEA experience can come with its unique set of arguments, folded right into the flat-pack. However, if your date can withstand home improvements from day one, you know you have a keeper.
If there are any quick fixes you need around the house, this idea is a win-win: although the relationship might not, a good paint job lasts forever.
5. Escape Games
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Stockholm syndrome aside, the wave of escape game experiences flooding the UK are the closest things you can get date-wise to a psychometric test. Feel exhilarated as you are literally chained into a room with someone you may not know anything about.
This is a great opportunity to get anything awkward you haven’t mentioned yet out into the open. It’s also a great date idea for people with the mutual interest of dystopian nightmares.
6. Life Drawing
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What could ease the romantic tension better than sitting in a room and staring at someone else’s naked body? It’s an opportunity to show off your artistic prowess/appreciation for the human form, and it’s also really really funny.
If you’re ready to increase the risk, why not suggest taking turns modelling?
7. Karaoke
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Friends of 500 Days of Summer rejoice; Karaoke is a great date idea for extroverts nationwide. What’s more, it’s very future-focused: a test of the quality of shower-singing and road trip playlists to come.
This way, even if the relationship doesn’t work out, you can at least be the next Fleetwood Mac.
8. Horror film marathon
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Today’s streaming services boast a vibrant, diverse choice of cinematic experiences; instead of the The Notebook this Friday night, why not watch something that tests your reflexes? Our suggestions include The Shining, Carrie, The Blair Witch Project and The Human Centipede.
Challenge your better half to Netflix and Thrill (see what we did there?) and wait to see who cracks first.
9. Unplug for the day
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It might not seem like much of a challenge in theory, but give this one a go: no phones, no tablets, no distractions from awkward silences. Your granddad would be proud.
Who knows, your time together may benefit from relying on good, old-fashioned face-to-face communication - as long as they’re into strict rule-enforcement.
10. Meeting the inlaws
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Basically the biggest challenge of all, meeting their parents is like a triathlon: if you’ve managed to dodge the awkward hug/handshake mix-ups and avoid politics at the dinner table, you might fall at the last hurdle by forgetting their names… Remember it’s all about endurance.
For the big thrill-seekers, wear something subtly inappropriate and unexpectedly declare you’re a vegan at the last minute.
Better quality dates built right in
Though some of these date ideas may be a bit far-fetched, at Flirtify, we’re all about getting the most out of your love life.Whether you’re a fan of the conventional or the quirky, there’s nothing better than feeling a real connection to someone: find thousands of single people searching for that spark on Flirtify.
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