First Dates: Will there be a second?

If you could go back and redo your first date, would you? Most people would probably say yes. First dates can either be the most awkward or the most wonderful memory you will ever have.

The itinerary is as follows: your date pulls into your driveway and you shake as you open the door. Your mom, being the “cool” mom she is, proceeds to ask him the most unnecessary questions while you just sit there saying in your head,“Mom, stop, you’re embarrassing me.” Before leaving, your parents have to make that final remark of “Text me when you get there,” as if you weren’t going to text them everything that’s possibly happening during the date.

Most first dates are either to a movie or dinner. The date has most likely been planned for about a week, but you still can’t decide on a movie. Back and forth you text, “I don’t care what movie we go see, you can pick,” even though you do care what movie you sit through for two and a half hours.

If it is a dinner date, you may sit and ask yourself, “What do I eat? Salad? No, that would make it look like I’m trying too hard. What about this? Oh gosh, that costs a lot. Should I offer to pay?” When the waiter comes to interrupt your small talk, in a panic you end up ordering the most basic meal, or you get exactly what your date ordered because you ran out of time to even look over the menu.

Butterflies are normal on your first date, but it is not just the girls who may have trouble becoming comfortable. Both guys and girls get nervous while on a date.

“I was very nervous on my first date,” said senior John Driscoll. “I wasn’t able to drive yet so my mom had to drive me to the Loop where I met my date.”

As Driscoll’s date went on, he started to not feel well. He made an excuse to not be hungry and his date and him went ahead to the movie.

“We went to go see a scary movie,” Driscoll said. “My tip to others is to not go see a scary movie on your first date.”

Many other Reagan students have been on awkward dates.

Senior Martha Morgan’s first date was freshman year. She went with some of her friends to the Grand. Morgan was going to the bathroom and stood at the sink when she saw her date walk out of the stall. It was then that Morgan realized she had walked into the men’s restroom.

“I was so embarrassed,” Morgan said. “I went back into the theater and cried, but didn’t dare sit next to my date.”

Other students have had bad experiences too.

Junior Delaney Nubson had a first date at a movie. Her date showed up before her and had already paid and gotten a seat. She proceeded to find him in the dark theater and made nervous small talk.

“After the date I just couldn’t believe that just happened and how he didn’t know to wait for me,” Nubson said. “Normally I wouldn’t go for a second date, but I did because I thought I really liked him, so I gave him a second chance which was a lot better.”

Whether your date leads to second or not, it is important to remember that a lot of people have been on awkward dates. The only thing you can do is reflect and laugh about it.

“My advice for anyone going on their first date is to just be yourself and try to have fun,” said senior CJ Sprinkle.