Let’s face it, social distancing is our new reality and may be for quite some time BUT that doesn’t mean you have to stop dating altogether. If you’re not ready to meet someone new while remaining socially distanced, that is OK, only do what makes you comfortable. Virtual dates are a fabulous alternative to meeting IRL like the casual coffee date. But, if you’re ready to meet some of your matches IRL, there are more than a couple great ways to do so while still following the WHOs safety guidelines.
First things first, if you are meeting someone for the first time, I suggest wearing a mask. You can always text your date prior to meeting them to see what their level of comfort is as well, this way you’ll be on the same page when you meet for the first time. I personally love wearing my reusable cloth mask as it’s made from trendy fabric and is sustainable. I just wear and wash after each use and it’s adjustable to fit my face perfectly. There are tons of artists making them on Etsy here.
Before you leave the house for your date, I recommend checking you’ve got your bottle of hand sanitizer and face mask packed in your pocket!
Now, there are more than a few options of dates you can go on especially given it’s the summer time and the best place to be on a socially distanced date is outside. Here is a list of my personal favorite, socially distanced date spots:
Drinks or Dinner on a Patio: Now that dining-in is a little less safe these days, street patios have popped up in cities everywhere. In Vancouver alone we have over 200 new designated outside patios ranging from breweries, to restaurants and wine bars. This is the perfect idea for those looking for a safe and flirty date night.
Take a Hike: Living in British Columbia, us Vancouverites are very lucky that we have the mountains in our backyard. For those of you who love adventure and bonding over something challenging like a steep incline, this is the perfect socially distanced date for you. You don’t have to come in contact with anyone else and you can enjoy the fresh air while you’re at it. A nice change up from the last couple months we’ve spent inside.
Picnic in the Park: I have a new ritual of having Cheese o’clock every Friday after work – this is where I buy three types of cheeses and taste test each of them while enjoying a glass of wine. If you and your date are foodies, then why not have your own Cheese o’clock in a park and post up for a sunny afternoon. Each of you can bring a different selection and give your own rating to each of the cheeses you try. Bonding over food warms the heart and satisfies the tummy.
Paddle board / Kayak: If you live close to a lake, river or ocean, all of these activities are possible! There are rental companies you can grab boards from and enjoy a day out on the open ocean. What’s great about this outdoor activity is you can make it as chill or as strenuous as you want to. I have definitely done my fair share of sitting on a paddle board bobbing up and down just chatting.
Walk and Talk: When you don’t have a ton of time in your schedule even just a short walk and talk is a great way to get outside and have a meet and greet with the person you’ve been connecting with online. It’s a great way to get a feel for one another and whether you’d like to continue to chat and possibly go on an actual date. If you need a little help on conversations starters that aren’t Covid related, we have some great options to check out here.
And that rounds out my favorite socially distanced date ideas; if you’re not quite ready to meet IRL and if restrictions are tighter where you’re currently living, like I said before, the virtual date is still alive and well. Here are some options for those of you who would rather connect over video:
Game together: There are a ton of ways you can play games virtually and honestly this one makes for a lot of laughs and fun along the way. It’s a great way to break the ice and get a little silly with someone.
Virtual Cribs: Remember that show we all loved on MTV back in the day? Why not take your date on a virtual tour around your house; show them what’s in your fridge! Surprisingly, your date may find out a lot about you through this and it sparks some awesome conversation topics.
Stream your favorite show: I spent the entire weekend binging Selling Sunset Season 3 and let me tell you, it was the highlight of my month. If you and your date have bonded over a show you both love, why not watch it together? This way you can comment about it in real-time.
I hope you find a distanced date idea that suits your level of comfort level. If you have other ideas for socially distanced dates, I’m all ears. Pop a comment below and tell me what your favorite date looks like!
