I've Heard of Safety in Numbers...
My girlfriend, Mary, set me up on a blind date. I got the usual spiel, "He's good looking, works hard, loves his family, I just don't know why he's still single!" After a few innocent phone conversations, Clark and I decided to finally meet and get together for a drink. I arrived at the bar right on time, and immediately started looking for someone that matched his description. All the sudden, I saw a guy coming towards me. Somewhat handsome, well dressed, he stuck out his hand and introduced himself. Yup, it was Clark. "Come on this way, we're all at the table already." "All?" I asked. "Yeah, our sales team was getting together for a few drinks after work, and I thought this would be a great time for us to meet."
Are you kidding me? Our first date, a blind one no less, and I was being led to a table with, no lie, SIXTEEN members of Clark's sales team. Definitely not what I had in mind for our first date, but he nonetheless was attentive and charming, and we ended up dating for about six months or so ... thankfully the dates after this one were just us.
Linda, New York
Just Like One of Those Wooden Ducks
This one's an oldie but a goodie - way back from one of my very first dates as a teenager. Mark invited me to the Homecoming dance (probably not a big deal for many, but we were in a small town with not much else to do). I was excited because he was older and I felt pretty special that he'd asked me out of all the girls who would definitely have gone with him.
So he picks me up and we head off to the dance. We were standing outside, waiting to get in when another girl, Sarah ,and her friend Julie approach us. They stood in line with us and I didn't think anything of it. Then we went inside and they stayed with us. Instead of dancing his first dance with me, Mark went off to dance with Sarah, leaving me behind.
Next thing you know, he was taking pictures with her and not even pretending I was his date anymore. Turns out, Sarah was Mormon and her parents wouldn't let her go to the dance with a boy. So I was just the naive decoy date! What a way to start my dating career, huh?
Alisha, Minnesota
Fast and Furious
I had had a crush on David for awhile. Tall, thick dark hair, deep blue eyes and the pale yet ruddy complexion of a true Irishman. He finally asked me out one day, stopping by my office to see if I wanted to go by his place that night. That should have been Warning Sign #1, right? No "real" info on an actual date, just a loose "come back to my place." But I liked him, and readily agreed.
After work, I dashed home to freshen up and then off to his place. He opened the door as soon as I knocked and ushered me in, asking if I wanted something to drink. I said a Diet Coke would be great and he went off to the galley kitchen to get it. He came back and gave it to me. I had a few sips and as I took the glass from my mouth, he took it from me and said, "Here, you don't need that anymore," and put it on the shelf. He then gently pushed me down on the couch and started kissing me and unbuttoning my blouse. I was surprised at his abruptness, but god, he was so hot, I couldn't help but feel a race of adrenaline anyway. I stayed for a bit, just your basic fooling around, but that was the last time we saw each other socially. Hey, I'm not that easy. Wine and dine me first ... at least for a first date!
Rachel, Ohio
The Tale of Mr. Winky Woo
There was this guy who I'd met a few times at these dance parties organized by the same group. After making eye contact at about four of them, we finally got to the point where we decided to have dinner to get to know each other. Since he lives in the city and I work in the city we agree that I'll just meet him at his place after I get off work. I work a 10 hour day of catering and am a bit tired. We agreed to get sushi so I was thinking it'd be casual. I show up at his place a bit grungy but presentable and he's wearing slacks and a button down shirt. His place is ~immaculate~, sparkling even. Apparently, he'd had it cleaned that day.
We go out for sushi and he orders for me. I don't really like this, but he goes all out so at least he wasn't cheap. He asks if I like the sea urchin and when I say that I do he practically swoons. Over the course of dinner he winks at me twice, while walking back he takes my hands and asks me if I ever want to have kids. Back at his place we watch an episode of South Park, good and safe, but after it's over he turns it and all the lights off and proceeds to light one of those big kitchen candles that come in the glass jar. He goes to the refridgerator and pulls out a container of milk chocolate squares. First of all, I hate milk chocolate, second who keeps their chocolate in the fridge??? He unwraps a square and proceeds to feed me while saying "Woo, woo... See, I'm wooing you." The date ended shortly there after.
Emily, California
