Tips for Double Dating

A double date can be a fun way to combine a date with a romantic interest with a fun outing with a friend.  While double dating presents a unique and fun way to date, it also potentially offers a unique set of problems.  The key aspect of a double date is that is affords the opportunity to socialize with your date as well as a friend and their date.  This additional component to the dating scenario makes it critical that you choose the other couple wisely when planning a double date.  With a little careful planning, however, you can eliminate or minimize some of these problems.  Some of the tips for double dating include choosing another couple that is familiar to both you and your date, choosing another couple that shares similar interests and choosing a date location that is likely to be enjoyed by both couples.  These simple tips will help to create an enjoyable dating experience.

The couple that accompanies you and your date on the double date can be the difference between a double date that is fun for everyone and one that is a disaster.  It is important that the couple you choose is friendly with both you and your date.  For example if your date can't stand your best friends significant other than this could create an awkward situation.  Sure you will be spending quite a bit of time with your date but you will also have some time where the four of you are chatting together or you are chatting with one of the members of the other couple leaving your date to chat with the other member.  For this reason it is important that all members of the double date are at least civil to each other and preferably friendly with each other. 

Another factor to consider when choosing a couple to join you on the double date is the interests of the other couple.  It is preferable that you choose a couple that shares similar interests to you and your date so that it will be easy to choose an activity for the date that everyone will enjoy.  A couple that enjoys sports may think that attending a professional sporting event is a great idea but if the other couple prefers the arts to sports, they may not enjoy the date as much.  The other couple does not have to share all of your interests but as long as you have a few interests in common, you can plan your date to focus on your common interests to ensure an enjoyable date for all.

The location that you choose for your double date can also contribute to the success or failure of the date.  Try to encourage the other couple to participate in the planning of the date so that you can be sure that the chosen location is agreeable to all involved.  This is important because the location of the date can have a significant affect on whether or not the person has a good time.  Some people enjoy crowded nightclubs or bars with lots of music, people, smoke and excitement while others prefer a quiet atmosphere where they can talk and get to know each other.  Choosing an environment that is going to make one or more of the members uncomfortable could lead to those people feeling left out because they weren't consulted about the location and because the date is taking place in an environment where they don't feel free to be themselves.  Taking care to choose a location that works well for all the members of the double date is important and can contribute to the success of the date. 

A double date is an interesting concept.  Combining four people into a situation that is normally intended for two people creates some unique challenges.  It becomes increasingly difficult to coordinate the date because you need to figure out the schedule of four people instead of two.  Additionally, choosing a location and activities for the date can also be a challenge because it is unlikely that all of the members will share exactly the same interests.  Finally and perhaps most importantly, is choosing a couple to join you and your date.  This is important because your ability to enjoy their company will influence the success of the date.  Although a double date presents some unique challenges, it has the potential to be a great deal of fun.