What Women Really Think About Dating

Dating is hard. It seems nearly impossible to know what’s going on in the mind of the person you’re seeing. 

Whether it’s a first date or you’ve been dating for a while, are people ever really comfortable enough to tell their partner what they’re thinking? 

If it’s a good thing, they may be shy or think it’s too forward. And if it’s bad, they may feel too awkward to say something.

Well, wonder no more! We actually found out what women really think about dating! Thanks to Reddit, we have the 411 on date ideas, dating clichès, the good, the bad, and the ugly. 

You’re welcome!

Dating clichès women enjoy

So, it appears as though some women really enjoy some of these dating clichès:

• When a date walks them to their door
• Surprises them with flowers
• Soft forehead kisses
• Spontaneous late night drives
• Talking about everything and anything
• Thoughtful texts
• Classic dinner dates
• Holding hands
• Resting their head on their date’s shoulder
• Receiving their jacket to keep warm
• Goodbye kisses

Dating clichès women don’t enjoy

Then, here are some of the dating clichès that women don’t enjoy:

• Playing hard to get 
• Over-the-top gestures
• Trying to fill empty silences even though they have nothing to say
• Love bombing (psychological and emotional abuse disguised as excessive flattery)
• Public displays of affection
• Planning the “perfect” date
• Movie clichès like kissing in the rain
• Being held by the waist

Of course everyone is different! So while some may love some of these clichès, others may not fancy them at all.

Just for a bit of fun, here are 3 dating clichès that are actually outdated.

1. Playing games

Play games… for what? When you play games, you’re not showing up as yourself. It’s like you’re hungry for the thrill, but it doesn’t give the other person the chance to really get to know you. They may want a version of you that doesn’t really exist. To play games is just a way to hide a fear of rejection anyway, so honesty is probably the best policy in this case.

2. Love like you’ve never been hurt before

It’s a nice idea, but we can’t forget about the past. It’s our past that makes up who we are today. The things we’ve experienced and have learned could actually be useful in your next date or relationship. Hiding parts of yourself is also not a great way to have intimate relationships or to show your partner who you really are. 

3. You’ll find someone when you least expect it

If you’ve been single for a while, don’t you hate it when someone says this to you? It kind of seems as though we’re desperate instead of open to finding someone. Instead of having this expectation, enjoy the things you love about yourself and start to focus on the positive things in your life. If you change your perspective from looking outward to looking inward, you’ll create a new vibe that’s open to new ideas rather than desolate to finding ‘the one’.

And then, for those who need a bit of inspo! Here are 20 fresh date ideas to try and beat the unwanted clichès! Some of these may also help you get to know your partner more intimately. 

20 Non-Clichè Date Ideas to Get to Know Your Partner More Intimately 

1. Each person shows the other their favourite hidden spot: you can learn if your partner enjoys travel or has a sense of wanderlust 

2. Go to a flea market and find treasures: find out if they value quirky pieces and random fun

3. Do a Master Chef challenge: see how creative they can be 

4. Find a ‘Sip and Paint’ class: find out if they have an artistic side while seeing how they act after a glass or two of wine

5. Go to karaoke: see if they’re ready to embrace themselves

6. See a local band: get an idea of their music taste 

7. Take a dance lesson: see if they’re more introverted or extroverted

8.  Play arcade games: How is their competitive side?

9. Go to an escape room: check how they are under pressure

10. Go to a food festival: Are they adventurous when it comes to food?

11. Watch a local sports game: Are they good or bad losers? Or how do they celebrate winning?

12. Go to a drag show: Are they open-minded and do they embrace different people?

13. Go to a comedy show: find out if they’ve got a sense of humour

14. Go to a trivia night: are they semi-knowledgeable on general topics?

15. Play board games: How competitive are they?

16. Do a puzzle: Do they have patience?

17. Go restaurant hopping: do they like to explore new flavours?

18. Go to a botanical garden: Do they have an appreciation for nature? 

19. Go on a weekend getaway: see how you two get along for a prolonged period of time 

20. Spice things up in the bedroom: for longer-term couples, you could try using a new sex toy or trying a new sexual act, something that can deepen your connection. 

Are you ready to embrace the non-clichè? That’s not to say that some clichès aren’t appreciated! Hopefully you’ve learned a thing or two today, and that you’ll have fantastic dates moving forward!