The City of Brotherly Love knows how to date. Makes sense, right?

HowAboutWe daters in Philly are all about switching things up — expanding their palates, learning new things, and leaving the city for a change of scenery.

We ran their proposed dates through a word cloud generator to figure out what we can learn from them.

The dates:

1) Eat something exotic.

Philly may be known for cheesesteaks and hoagies, but its daters also have a taste for more exotic cuisine. Consider foods you and your date already enjoy, like cheesesteak, and find a cosmopolitan dish that has a similar consistency and flavor. Poutine, anyone?

2) Hit the road.

Day trips are great for weekends and could involve anything from hiking to hitting the nearest outlet mall.

Even cruising within city limits can be relaxing. It’s strangely intimate to ride in a car with someone you’re just getting to know. Watch the scenery and listen to music or talk without having to look right at each other. Remember all the freedom a car represented when you were first starting to date? It still exists.

3) Play games (the good kind).

The couple that plays together, stays together. One reason is that it forces two people to figure out how the other thinks. Is he methodical, or does he make hasty decisions? Is she lethal with Scrabble tiles, or a terrible speller who tries to get away with lucky guesses? Games are also great for playful jabs, thoughtful encouragement, and “no, do it this way” banter.

Even better — find a way to play on a team with your date, like in Taboo or a doubles tennis match. See where you complement each other and where you struggle for power. Or you know, just try not to lose too badly and give each other high-fives.

4) Learn something together.

As we mentioned earlier, people bond when they share new experiences. Find a common educational goal and take a class with your date. If you want to get physical, try exercise or dance. Language lessons could easily evolve into regular practice sessions, and make anything you do in English seem way less awkward by comparison. Classes involving food and drink are practically open invitations to get together at someone’s place later.

Sometimes it’s best to explore an entirely novel activity, but having a date who’s slightly more educated on a topic than you has its own benefits. Consult the “expert” for help with whatever you’re learning.

5) Take it outdoors.

Psychologists debate nature and nurture, but Philadelphia daters don’t have to. They’re not mutually exclusive. Getting out of the city with your date is a good way to escape distractions and recharge while giving each other more focused attention.

Going for a hike or visiting a state park offers alternatives to the same old scene. It also requires you to think about things you might normally not. What should you pack for a picnic, since there’s no Chipotle for miles? What would you do if your date were injured on the trail, or a bear suddenly wandered into sight? Would you two survive longer in the wilderness? All great things to ponder on the trails. Just don’t get all Deliverance on us.

You’ve got the how, now check out where to date in Philadelphia.

 

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