Date Night Ideas In Wimbledon

A scientifically proven guide to the perfect date!

Start With A Compliment

First impressions really count. Start your date with a heartfelt compliment.

Science says: It will only take up to four minutes to decide whether you like someone or not.

Romantic Stroll

Take a romantic stroll around Rushmere Pond just as the sun sets. You’re free from unwanted distraction, with plenty of topics for conversation popping up, plus you’ll find out if they’re a dog person or not! That’s a deal breaker.

Science says: When men walk with a woman they’re romantically involved in, they walk slower than their optimum speed, and are thus less energy efficient.

Photo Credit: Hidden London

Go For The Hand

We humans love to touch. When your fingers are interlaced and someone is holding your hand, they’re stimulating pressure receptors. When there’s pressure in the touch, heart rate and blood pressure goes down, and you’re put in a relaxed state.

Science says: Human touch triggers the release of oxytocin, the “love hormone”.

Read My Body Language

We read a lot into a person’s body language, so you want to make sure you’re sending out the right signals. Keep it relaxed and comforting.

Science says: Keep your movements subdued at first. Use small gestures, slower movements and don’t crowd them. Once you’re comfortable together you can make faster, more animated gestures.

Get The Drinks And Conversation Flowing

Go for a cocktail before dinner. Carefully selecting places for your evening will show you’ve taken the time to ensure you’re going to give your date a good time.

Science says: If your date offers you a sip of their drink, it means they’re comfortable with you and perhaps romantically interested.

Keep the conversation stimulating (and risky). Conversation is one of the most important parts of a date. There needs to be a balance between impressing and learning about your date. Ask personality-revealing questions to find out if you’re going to hit it off romantically.

Science says: Rehearsed lines and jokes have a negative effect on a date.

Dinner Date

Dinner is ideal for a first date because it helps you get to know each other. You’re focused on the conversation, rather than an activity. It’s a vibe killer if you’re turned away from the restaurant you’d planned to go to, book ahead to stop anyone getting hangry. Go hot and spicy with seats at the Yum Bar in Patara.

Science says: An expensive restaurant increases the chance of a second date by 50%.

Sushi was voted the best food choice for a first date! Omega 3 ups circulation and alertness. Seaweed can trigger testosterone and sex drive. Wasabi increases your heart rate. These physiological changes could make you both feel more excited during the date. We tend to share sushi, making this a bonding exercise and oxytocin is released. With that in mind, book Sticks ‘n’ Sushi.

Science says: One in four women expect men to pay for dinner on a first date.

Lock Eyes

When we lock eye contact for too long, the other person might see that as forced dominance, which is (usually) not something you want to exude on a first date because it’s confrontational.

Science says: The right amount of eye contact is 7-10 seconds at a time.

Get Flirty

When you spend an extended amount of time with someone you’re likely to start picking up a few of his or her mannerisms, expressions and gestures. This is an accidental sign of affection and apparently we’re attracted to this copycat behaviour!

Science says: Men are more likely to enjoy a date when the woman mimics him.

After Dinner

The melting chocolate bombe from The Ivy Café was made for lovebirds! Hot salted caramel sauce melts a chocolate shell to reveal a vanilla and honeycomb centre.

Science says: Your odds for a second date start to dwindle if the outing lasts more than 2 hours and 15 minutes.

What’s Next?

Whether it’s asking your date if they’d like to go for another drink or plan the next date, it’s best to be direct with the questions. Rule out playing hard to get!

Science says: People are more responsive to direct questions. Subtleness is rated the least effective way to show someone you like them.

Good Night

After a nightcap, politely ask her if you can arrange a taxi or walk her home. Finally, one last goodnight message.

Science says: Falling in love is known to create the same neurological effects as cocaine. Both falling in love and taking a dose of cocaine will give your brain similar feelings and a sensation of euphoria.

Written by Flora Firth

Instagram: @feelgoodflora
Twitter: @feelgoodflora