Lockdown rules have eased a little, which means you can meet one other household outdoors, up to six people, as long as you maintain a two metre distance. This means that for all of us who have been dating via video for the last two months or so, we can finally meet up in real life. However, it’s really important that we stick to social distancing to keep the risk of spreading coronavirus as low as possible. Here are a few suggestions for dating safely.
Meet in the park
Just as we wouldn’t recommend anyone inviting a date into their home the first time they meet, we also wouldn’t recommend inviting someone into your garden. Meeting in a neutral place is important on a first date, so go to your local park. Make sure it’s a public area too, with other people around. Though you’ll have to keep a two metre distance you’ll be able to get a better idea of what the other person is like than you can via a screen. Bring a coffee or a beer and get to know each other better.
Go for a walk
If sitting and looking at each other feels like too much pressure, go for a walk instead. Having somewhere to look instead of into each others eyes will help you relax and remove any awkwardness. You will also find different things to discuss and comment on whilst you’re walking, so you won’t feel obliged to talk endlessly about yourselves. If you happen to live near a sculpture park or outdoor art gallery, take the opportunity to visit. You’ll get a whole new perspective on a place you might already be familiar with if you have someone new at your side.
Have a picnic
You won’t be able to share your food, but you can still have a meal together. And don’t just pop into Sainsbury’s on the way and grab a sandwich, prepare something special so your date has as much of a sense of occasion as if you were going for a meal at a fancy restaurant together. If you bring a big enough blanket you can sit on it together and everything, just be sure to maintain the correct distance.
Visit a drive-in cinema
We probably all thought the only place we’d experience a drive-in cinema was whilst watching Grease, but due to coronavirus they’re making a comeback this summer. Whilst you can’t share a car you can organise it so you’re parked close enough together to chat through your windows. When the film is over, drive out and park up somewhere to have a chat about it.
If you’ve got any socially distanced dating ideas, we’d love to hear them! And if you’re looking for a date, join mysinglefriend now.
