Meeting New People
Dating apps are nothing new. Many Americans use them, and it’s common to see people swiping right and left while commuting. But while on quarantine, daters can actually be more careful and spend some extra time visiting their matches’ profiles, ensuring they’re reaching out to people who share the same life values and goals.
Make the most out of the extra hours to really put your head into dating. Visit the profile of anyone who catches your attention, scroll through their photo gallery, and start conversations only with those who you feel like sharing your life story with. This way, when you go on a first date, there’s a higher chance that you’ll connect and schedule a second date right away.
Four Dating Ideas While on Quarantine
Going for a Coffee or Dinner Indoors
First dates usually take place somewhere with the option to end it quickly with no hard feelings, or to continue all day long if there’s a spark. Therefore, going for a coffee or dining out are popular choices. Just because you’re both confined to home doesn’t mean you can’t go for this traditional route. However, instead of meeting at a coffee place nearby, you’ll have to do it at home.
Schedule an hour and meet on Skype or other software with video-call capabilities. Grab a drink – it doesn’t necessarily need to be coffee – and start your date. If you prefer to go for a meal, both of you can order from the same restaurant and eat it together while video chatting. It can actually be easier to go on a first date this way, since you’ll be doing it from the comfort of your own home.
Netflix and Chill
Unfortunately, cinemas are also a no-go until this outbreak is resolved, but that doesn’t mean you can’t watch a movie with your date and have a nice chat about it afterward. Decide on what to watch, start video chatting, and click play at the same time – it’s going to be almost the same as being in the cinema. It’s possible to discuss what’s happening on screen in real-time and use it as an icebreaker afterward.
Gaming
Gaming brings plenty of date choices to the table. The duo just needs to start the same game, connect to each other, and start playing while speaking through their earphones. Hardcore gamers can start a joint campaign on an RPG such as Diablo 3 or test a new MMORPG together. Casual gamers have plenty of options too, from competing on a quiz, playing regular board games such as Monopoly online, or trying out multiplayer games on Facebook.
Create a Music Playlist for Each Other
Music is known to make the time go faster – perfect for a period we’ll be staying in quarantine. Music lovers can finally take time to search for new songs and get to know new bands better. Better yet, daters who share this common interest can also create a playlist for each other and then video chat to share their opinions and imagine which concerts they’ll attend together in the near future.
Be Creative
There are many ways to make a date worthwhile, with various options to spend time ‘together’ and – depending on your common interests – ideas to put into practice. For example: heavy readers can read the same book and schedule a weekly chat to discuss it, fitness advocates can work out together through video chat, etc. The sky’s the limit, or in this case, several feet apart from each other is the limit.
Daters with a friend who has been in a long-distance relationship for a while can always ask them for extra tips and ideas. If they were able to keep the flame alive, so will you.
Daniel C.
Inês P.
