DOUBLE DATING TIPS
Is dating as a foursome twice as nice? It can be, as long as you play by the rules!
Double dating seems like a fabulous idea. After all, you've got your guy, plus a girlfriend to yak with on the side. Plus, there's less pressure to keep the conversation going, 'cause you've got two more people to help you with that. So what could go wrong?
The fact is, with more people on a "date" - things can get complicated. Weirdness, whispering behind each other's backs, and even unexpected attractions can pop up to surprise you and ruin your good time. To keep things happy, follow Myjellybean's tried-and-true tips for double dating success.
Double Dating Tip #1: Get Everyone's Ok on the Game Plan
Sure. you and your sweetie adore horror movies. But before you purchase tickets, ask the other couple if they're into shockfests too. You don't want to traumatize them, or have to listen to them yakking all through the show, if scary movies are not their thing. Same goes for your choice of restaurant - don't head for a steakhouse if your tag-along friend is a vegetarian. The point is, do some research and find out what the other couple likes, then choose something all four of you will enjoy.
Double Dating Tip #2: Decide on a Spending Limit Beforehand
It's easy to spend way more than you intended when you're out having fun. Being spontaneous and blowing your date's allowance is one thing when you two are alone. But don't just assume the other couple has the same spending limit in mind as you do. Check with the other girl who's coming and ask, "If we (go bowling / go to the theme park / eat at McSwanky's), are you okay with spending on that?" She can check with her date and let you know if your choice is too expensive for them, or not. You want to avoid having to embarrass someone into admitting they can't afford something, in the middle of the date.
Double Dating Tip #3: Movies are Double Date Dos!
Sometimes the other couple on a double date turns out to be dullsville. If you start the date with an activity that requires a lot of conversation, like eating at a restaurant, or walking around a museum together, you can run out of stuff to say early. Then you're stuck with weird silence or awkward conversation for the rest of the date. Solve this problem by seeing a movie first. It limits the amount you have to talk right off the bat, and even if you end up not having much in common with the other couple, you can always yak about what happened in the flick.
Double Dating Tip #4: Don't Blab Your Friend's Secrets
Teasing your friend about how long she's been scheming to get her date to ask her out, might seem funny to you. You might think, "Hey, he obviously likes her now, so what's the harm?" But if you give away your friend's secrets or make fun of her in front of her date, she could feel humiliated and end up resenting you. Besides, you don't want to anger her so much that she blabs your secrets to your guy! If conversation starts heading into too-personal areas (such as your friend's favorite upper-lip waxing product, or how she learned to kiss by practicing on a pillow), change the subject quickly. That way you'll still have a friend the next day!
Double Dating Tip #5: Don't Leave the Guys Out
If you and the girl in the other couple are close friends, be careful not to make your date into a girlfriend's get-together. Your friend and you can talk for hours, so it's easy to slip into a gabfest on the date. But guys aren't fascinated by the same things you are. Save the uber girl-talk for another time, and talk about stuff that everyone is interested in. Remember, you don't want to put your dates to sleep before the goodnight-kiss part!
Double Dating Tip #6: Developing Signals With Your Guy
Before you head out on a double date, it's a good idea to come up with some signals, that you and your guy can use to secretly communicate with each other. That way, you can control the way the date goes, and avoid those "I wish you would have..." conversations the next day. Just work out a few handy signals in advance. For example, if you pull on your earlobe, it means, "I'm bored, let's end the date soon". Or, you know that when he coughs, it means he wants you to change the subject.
Double-Dating Tip #7: Don't Let On How Much You Know About the Other Guy
If the girl in the other couple is your best friend, she may have told you a ton of stuff - some of it extremely personal - about her date. Don't let him know that you've got this knowledge! It's easy to let things slip like, "So Mike, I hear your parents are getting divorced" - so watch your tongue! He might not know that your friend tells you everything, and even if it's not a big deal to you, people get ticked off when you know stuff about them that they didn't tell you. Even if you have to monitor everything you say, it's worth it to avoid a situation where you accidentally humiliate your friend's guy, and maybe mess up her relationship.
Double-Dating Tip #8: Don't Let Fights Break Out
If you and your guy start bickering, don't force your friends to play referee. It's totally uncomfortable to have to watch another couple spatting. If the conversation won't wait, excuse yourselves and go somewhere private to talk. Then decide if you can put this on hold and have fun, or if you need to end the double date. If it's the other couple who starts fighting in front of you, just grab your guy and wander off for a bit, to give them privacy. If that's not possible, don't let them drag you into the fight. Just say something diplomatic like, "Hey you two, let's just change the subject" and try to get everyone talking about something else.
Double-Dating Tip #9: Can the PDA
You and your honey may think you're the most fabulous couple ever, but that still doesn't mean your friends want a close-up view of you playing tonsil hockey. Save the makeout sessions for your solo dates, or you'll make your friends feel awkward... or just gross them out. If it's the other couple who can't stop groping each other, try making a joke to embarrass them into stopping. Try, "Do you think you guys should get a room?" Or, "Oh look, we're getting the free adult channel."
Double-Dating Tip #10: Leave When the Going is Still Good
With any luck, the four of you have had an amazing time together all night. Take a tip from top celebrities and wrap things up when feeings are still at a high point. Stars know that the best time to leave a party is when everyone is having a great time, so they're remebered in the most positive way. Even if you don't have a curfew, don't wait until things drag to a close before you part ways from the other couple and head home.
