Mutual friend intro'd a guy (23yo) and me (19), been talking online/phone for a few wks. We'll be meeting for the first time soon and want to avoid the awkward, structured "dinner date" thing. Suggestions for creative, super casual, laidback first dates?

go karting, a ski slope, ten pin bowling, a sea life centre or the zoo. Take a picnic or get a coffee and piece of cake after. Have fun

Visit each other's church for a service, if permitted, then have a lunch afterwards, a previously prepared picnic in a rural setting or a park. Night services might be convenient with a dinner beforehand, if possible. Maybe this plan wouldn't appeal to everybody, but it has worked for some to learn about another person in a proper context.

For a first date I think the ideal situation to make it for lunch only. Then it becomes "it's for lunch only" and the pressures of an evening date disappear. There is no question of when or how the date will end...no awkward trying to approach/avoid sexual situations...After all --'it's just for lunch together". Strikes me as a much easier way to start seeing someone...with much easier ways out of it if it doesn't work..and somehow it doesn;t have the sexual insistence that a formal evening date can.....Just my 3 1/2 cents worth :)

Answerin' my own question here just for future reference, if anyone else needs suggestions, lol. :) We've decided to go to the zoo on our first date :) I'm thinking of packing a nice picnic lunch. I'm really excited! It was his idea, but I've always wanted to go to the zoo on a date, ever since I was little! Woohoo!