Ideal Date

I think my idea of an ideal date is fairly basic. I don’t really like anything fancy or elaborate. I think the most important thing for a nice date is discussing interests and ideas.

In terms of place, I prefer to go to a reasonably priced restaurant or izakaya. I like to eat so it should have good food. In Japan, I really like grilled meat skewers (yakitori), so I think that kind of restaurant is good for a date. I also like sake. In the winter, I love to drink hot sake. I think sharing a bottle of sake with a date would be very nice.

I think having a good conversation during a date is very important. I often like to have conversations about abstract or controversial topics. At university I studied history and political science, so I love to have conversations about both topics. I also enjoyed learning about the history of philosophy and political philosophy, so philosophy is also a good topic to discuss with a date.

I like to have conversations with people who are not afraid to disagree with me and I enjoy friendly arguments. I like to learn new things from my date and have my views challenged. If my date agrees with everything I say, I find the date quite boring. I like people who have various opinions about many different topics.

In terms of activities, I don’t like to do anything too active on a date but like various relaxing activities. I like activities such as going to the movies or watching plays, which are good activities for a date. I have not seen any plays in Japan, but when I was in America I had a season pass to the National Shakespeare Theater and would often go there with friends or on a date.

This is also good for starting a conversation. After watching a play or movie, we can talk about the story and the characters. The two things I don’t care very much for are romantic dramas or romcoms. One movie type I do like for dates are movies that are so bad they are good. These are movies that are funny because they are badly made. Often the director was trying to make a serious movie, but because of bad acting and bad special effects the movie became an unintentional comedy.

I especially enjoy dates where my date has a good sense of humor and can make interesting jokes or interesting remarks about the movie.
In terms of things I don’t like on a date, I can’t handle stressful situations where there is a lot of pressure. I prefer laidback dates that feel as if I’m just hanging out with a friend. I like to feel comfortable and feel like I can open up to my date easily.

In terms of an ideal first date, I think the best recommendation would be to start with a movie or play followed by dinner at an izakaya. I think a good end for a date in the winter is to end with a walk by some Xmas lights.

Nathaniel

Vocabulary

elaborate (adj.) ? made or done with a lot of detail; having many parts that are carefully planned
abstract (adj.) ? relating to general ideas or qualities rather than specific people, objects, or actions
controversial (adj.) ? relating to or causing much discussion, disagreement, or argument
romcom (adj.) ? a romantic comedy
unintentional (adj.) ? not done in a way that is planned or intended; not intentional
sense of humour (phr.) ? the ability to understand funny things and to be funny yourself