Men, what should a woman eat(or not) on the first date?

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Replies

  • shabaity
    shabaity Posts: 792 Member
    First date depends on where I'm being taken but most cases there is a side salad involved because I like salads unless it's this oyster bar I like. For italian I go for lasagna, mostly, because I like lasagna better than spaghetti in most restaurants and because I can eat that like an adult.
  • Dnarules
    Dnarules Posts: 2,081 Member
    urloved33 wrote: »
    Merkavar wrote: »
    There are two sides to this I see.

    One is if you eat something different just to impress the guy are you not lying or misleading them from the get go? Say you normally eat pasta and you decide to eat a burger just because your on a date, doesn't that seem misleading or shows a lack of confidence.

    The other side I see is you don't want to spill food on you, them or the immediate area so I would maybe avoid things with sauces or soups or too much liquid. Also something that you use cutlery to eat if possible.

    I always spill stuff. No matter how careful. Like a stray tiny peice of food will fall on me. And it won't just leave a small mark. This peice would be covered in sauce or oil and bounce and roll all the way down my front leaving a trail.

    Lol, that happens to me except everything just lands on my boobs :D

    Me too I always drop something on me...ugh

    Me, too. It's a big joke in my family now. Problem is I have small boobs, so everything lands on my bigger tummy :(.

  • seltzermint555
    seltzermint555 Posts: 10,740 Member
    hesn92 wrote: »
    Is this a serious question

    That's what I'm wondering as well.

    I went on a coffee date once with a guy who was absolutely mortified by my order...a children's iced funky monkey mocha. I didn't name the thing, but I'm all about banana-mocha flavors. If that guy had a problem with my order he definitely could not handle the other 334,561 quirks I have...
  • SLLRunner
    SLLRunner Posts: 12,942 Member
    No - really : How old are you? Are you, like, 12?

    I believe she may be a youngster......
  • dufus12
    dufus12 Posts: 393 Member
    This is a wind up planted thread. If the OP was that bothered, she would have replied by now,,,,,,to at least some of us. at least.

    Says a lot about us that we just didn't say the obvious - Grow up and get real. We give advice, make jokes, reminisce about first dates,,,,,,great planted thread!!!

    I had a first date without even knowing! I thought he was interviewing me for a job! I was so nervous that I just said, 'Oh, whatever you recommend, cos I didn't want to admit I couldn't read the menu in the dim light. And guess what,he ordered spaghetti........Believe it! It is not a good food look on a first date, or assumed interview!!!

    I gave up after meddling with it with my fork fruitlessly. No way was I going to risk bad eating habits or needing a bib to stop me getting job offer. And it was a lunch date so I still had work to do,,,,,,,,Excruciating to the point it still pains me now to think about it!
  • jemhh
    jemhh Posts: 14,261 Member
    She made another thread about self confidence earlier today.
  • zoeysasha37
    zoeysasha37 Posts: 7,088 Member
    Merkavar wrote: »
    There are two sides to this I see.

    One is if you eat something different just to impress the guy are you not lying or misleading them from the get go? Say you normally eat pasta and you decide to eat a burger just because your on a date, doesn't that seem misleading or shows a lack of confidence.

    The other side I see is you don't want to spill food on you, them or the immediate area so I would maybe avoid things with sauces or soups or too much liquid. Also something that you use cutlery to eat if possible.

    I always spill stuff. No matter how careful. Like a stray tiny peice of food will fall on me. And it won't just leave a small mark. This peice would be covered in sauce or oil and bounce and roll all the way down my front leaving a trail.
    This is me.i spill everything!but seriously op order whatever you like eating and dont over think it

  • dufus12
    dufus12 Posts: 393 Member
    jemhh wrote: »
    She made another thread about self confidence earlier today.

    Well, if this genuine, then I guess that figures, but OP, if are reading your replies, a bit of reciprocation wouldn't come amiss,,,,,,,
  • FlabFighter86
    FlabFighter86 Posts: 233 Member
    I once ordered nachos and forgot that I eat them like a heathen.
    Spaghetti bolognese is a no no, as spaghetti and tomato sauce flies everywhere.
  • lynn1982
    lynn1982 Posts: 1,439 Member
    Eat whatever the *kitten* you want! (Maybe this is why I'm single? haha...nah.)
  • RedRaven49
    RedRaven49 Posts: 52 Member
    Eat whatever the f*** you want and if he disapproves, don't go on a second date. You deserve someone who isn't a judgmental twerp.
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  • pollypocket1021
    pollypocket1021 Posts: 533 Member
    If he is paying, order something you like that is reasonably priced. If you are paying or both are splitting, order whatever you want.

    This.

  • Jesstaysan
    Jesstaysan Posts: 11 Member
    Wings, eat all the wings.
  • kshama2001
    kshama2001 Posts: 28,052 Member
    edited June 2015
    jemhh wrote: »
    She made another thread about self confidence earlier today.

    Actually yesterday, so she may not have come back today due to it being a work day for her. I've emailed her and asked her to come back.

  • kristydi
    kristydi Posts: 781 Member
    urloved33 wrote: »
    Merkavar wrote: »
    There are two sides to this I see.

    One is if you eat something different just to impress the guy are you not lying or misleading them from the get go? Say you normally eat pasta and you decide to eat a burger just because your on a date, doesn't that seem misleading or shows a lack of confidence.

    The other side I see is you don't want to spill food on you, them or the immediate area so I would maybe avoid things with sauces or soups or too much liquid. Also something that you use cutlery to eat if possible.

    I always spill stuff. No matter how careful. Like a stray tiny peice of food will fall on me. And it won't just leave a small mark. This peice would be covered in sauce or oil and bounce and roll all the way down my front leaving a trail.

    Lol, that happens to me except everything just lands on my boobs :D

    Me too I always drop something on me...ugh

    What's really awkward is when you wear a low cut top and drop something between your boobs and it gets stuck in your bra. That's totally happened to me.

    OP, eat what you like.
  • Cortelli
    Cortelli Posts: 1,369 Member
    Haven't read all the replies - just the first few. I'll take a different tack with my advice.

    This is a *first* date -- remember, you only get one chance to make a first impression. So, you need to focus on maximizing that first impression. And how do you do that? By displaying, through your superior taste and discernment, that you are worldly, tasteful, and most of all *classy*!

    So, your challenge starts right with the drinks. Consider a nice bottle of bubbly - cheaper than ordering by the glass and let's you set the tone for the meal. Although I am a California boy, I still say stay away from domestics. A real champagne - from France - is the way to go here. I can see ordering a prosecco or similar sparkling wine, but for God's sake make sure it isn't domestic - nothing says "I'm not classy" like a domestic sparkling.

    With the appetizer, I think there are a couple of ways to go. A good foie gras gets things rolling well. And you have a real opportunity to let him know just how discerning you are – I’ve never been more impressed than the time a date asked about the foie gras (be sure to pronounce it correctly as “fwaw graw” with emphasis to enhance the classiness) and turned up her nose when told it was actually duck and not goose! Raw oysters or chilled shellfish are also great choices. You might even pair a foie gras with some chilled oysters or lobster tails. Be sure to ask him what he’s going to have as an appetizer – emphasizing that this is for you, and also being able to veto another choice that clashes with yours.

    For soup or salad, I always say “why not both?” A simple Caesar salad – insist on the parmesan begin grated tableside and make sure the anchovies are not a cheap restaurant-supply-company staple in a can – is great, and a small cup of lobster bisque (if you didn’t have lobster as an appetizer) is good. Perhaps a simple tomato soup, so long as the waitstaff is willing to let you spoon your own crème fraiche and will freshly grind pepper for you from a grinder at least 1.5 meters long! Get a bottle of California chardonnay to go with the soup salad combo.

    Entrees really are wide open, depending on the type of restaurant you’re visiting. If in doubt, just go for the most expensive item – class isn’t concerned with prices. One thing I’ve found to be really worthwhile is to mix and match your own entrée and sides. For example, a date once wanted to try the seared Ahi tuna steak in a seasame crust served with wasabi-infused mashed potatoes and lightly grilled asparagus drizzled with olive oil. But she was also interested in the filet mignon in a balsamic reduction, with roasted new potatoes with rosemary and buttered / creamed spinach. She insisted on a half portion of the Ahi, light on the seasame crust and cooked well, and a half portion of the filet but with a mushroom sauce instead of the balsamic reduction. She wanted the wasabi-infused mashed potatoes but asked to substitute garlic for the wasabi, and also a lightly stir-fried asparagus tip, pancetta, and walnut side. Never mind that these sides weren’t prominently featured on the menu – she knew what she wanted and any decent kitchen should meet your requests. And don’t listen to any protests from the waitstaff that they only serve the items listed on the menu; you order what makes most sense for you and demand that the restaurant accommodate you; that’s what they’re there for after all – it’s their whole reason for being in business. If met with further resistance, just raise your voice a bit. A bottle of a bold red (regardless of your entrée) is appropriate with your main. As I said, I am from California, so am partial to a California Cabernet, but if there are interesting French Burgundies available, that’s always an option. (BTW, don’t feel the need to finish absolutely every bottle – it’s just nice to have the bottle available so you don’t ever have to wait on a refill).

    Dessert is really your playground. Whatever suits your fancy. I like to see a date pair something like a chocolate souffle and a cheese plate with a 375ml bottle of a nice tawny port. One date asked for small portions of everything on the dessert menu so she could taste and try a bit of everything – I was impressed!

    As dessert winds down, confirm that they offer espresso, and ask where they source their coffee. If not up to your standards, dismiss the waitstaff with a sad shake of the head and a sigh and make clear that you’ll go elsewhere for proper coffee and after-dinner drink.

    Hopefully by this point your date has presented himself as something more than a horrible dullard. If not, oh well – we all must live and learn from our trials. If he does show any bit of promise, I am confident that you will have made an impression! He may even wonder how he managed to get a date with such a worldly and more importantly *classy* woman. Good luck!
  • arditarose
    arditarose Posts: 15,573 Member
    ^^Cannot finish this. Too hangry after foie gras
  • Cortelli
    Cortelli Posts: 1,369 Member
    arditarose wrote: »
    ^^Cannot finish this. Too hangry after foie gras

    But there is sooo much more!

  • arditarose
    arditarose Posts: 15,573 Member
    Cortelli wrote: »
    arditarose wrote: »
    ^^Cannot finish this. Too hangry after foie gras

    But there is sooo much more!

    Stop. Now I'm just sad and want to go on a fancy date and wear a pretty dress and heels and eat all the foods :( I've been wanting this for days too!
  • misskarne
    misskarne Posts: 1,765 Member
    But I don't drink at all. I'm not about to force myself to drink disgusting wine or champagne just to impress a guy. Yuck.
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  • arditarose
    arditarose Posts: 15,573 Member
    misskarne wrote: »
    But I don't drink at all. I'm not about to force myself to drink disgusting wine or champagne just to impress a guy. Yuck.

    lol what? Then don't.
  • Alatariel75
    Alatariel75 Posts: 18,342 Member
    Cortelli wrote: »
    Haven't read all the replies - just the first few. I'll take a different tack with my advice.

    This is a *first* date -- remember, you only get one chance to make a first impression. So, you need to focus on maximizing that first impression. And how do you do that? By displaying, through your superior taste and discernment, that you are worldly, tasteful, and most of all *classy*!

    So, your challenge starts right with the drinks. Consider a nice bottle of bubbly - cheaper than ordering by the glass and let's you set the tone for the meal. Although I am a California boy, I still say stay away from domestics. A real champagne - from France - is the way to go here. I can see ordering a prosecco or similar sparkling wine, but for God's sake make sure it isn't domestic - nothing says "I'm not classy" like a domestic sparkling.

    With the appetizer, I think there are a couple of ways to go. A good foie gras gets things rolling well. And you have a real opportunity to let him know just how discerning you are – I’ve never been more impressed than the time a date asked about the foie gras (be sure to pronounce it correctly as “fwaw graw” with emphasis to enhance the classiness) and turned up her nose when told it was actually duck and not goose! Raw oysters or chilled shellfish are also great choices. You might even pair a foie gras with some chilled oysters or lobster tails. Be sure to ask him what he’s going to have as an appetizer – emphasizing that this is for you, and also being able to veto another choice that clashes with yours.

    For soup or salad, I always say “why not both?” A simple Caesar salad – insist on the parmesan begin grated tableside and make sure the anchovies are not a cheap restaurant-supply-company staple in a can – is great, and a small cup of lobster bisque (if you didn’t have lobster as an appetizer) is good. Perhaps a simple tomato soup, so long as the waitstaff is willing to let you spoon your own crème fraiche and will freshly grind pepper for you from a grinder at least 1.5 meters long! Get a bottle of California chardonnay to go with the soup salad combo.

    Entrees really are wide open, depending on the type of restaurant you’re visiting. If in doubt, just go for the most expensive item – class isn’t concerned with prices. One thing I’ve found to be really worthwhile is to mix and match your own entrée and sides. For example, a date once wanted to try the seared Ahi tuna steak in a seasame crust served with wasabi-infused mashed potatoes and lightly grilled asparagus drizzled with olive oil. But she was also interested in the filet mignon in a balsamic reduction, with roasted new potatoes with rosemary and buttered / creamed spinach. She insisted on a half portion of the Ahi, light on the seasame crust and cooked well, and a half portion of the filet but with a mushroom sauce instead of the balsamic reduction. She wanted the wasabi-infused mashed potatoes but asked to substitute garlic for the wasabi, and also a lightly stir-fried asparagus tip, pancetta, and walnut side. Never mind that these sides weren’t prominently featured on the menu – she knew what she wanted and any decent kitchen should meet your requests. And don’t listen to any protests from the waitstaff that they only serve the items listed on the menu; you order what makes most sense for you and demand that the restaurant accommodate you; that’s what they’re there for after all – it’s their whole reason for being in business. If met with further resistance, just raise your voice a bit. A bottle of a bold red (regardless of your entrée) is appropriate with your main. As I said, I am from California, so am partial to a California Cabernet, but if there are interesting French Burgundies available, that’s always an option. (BTW, don’t feel the need to finish absolutely every bottle – it’s just nice to have the bottle available so you don’t ever have to wait on a refill).

    Dessert is really your playground. Whatever suits your fancy. I like to see a date pair something like a chocolate souffle and a cheese plate with a 375ml bottle of a nice tawny port. One date asked for small portions of everything on the dessert menu so she could taste and try a bit of everything – I was impressed!

    As dessert winds down, confirm that they offer espresso, and ask where they source their coffee. If not up to your standards, dismiss the waitstaff with a sad shake of the head and a sigh and make clear that you’ll go elsewhere for proper coffee and after-dinner drink.

    Hopefully by this point your date has presented himself as something more than a horrible dullard. If not, oh well – we all must live and learn from our trials. If he does show any bit of promise, I am confident that you will have made an impression! He may even wonder how he managed to get a date with such a worldly and more importantly *classy* woman. Good luck!

    Do you think my husband would mind if you and I went to dinner?
  • ndj1979
    ndj1979 Posts: 29,136 Member
    misskarne wrote: »
    But I don't drink at all. I'm not about to force myself to drink disgusting wine or champagne just to impress a guy. Yuck.

    what??????

    just take tequila shots the date will go better.
  • AllOutof_Bubblegum
    AllOutof_Bubblegum Posts: 3,646 Member
    I have a few PERSONAL guidelines:

    1. Don't eat anything stinky- personally I can't stand fish/ seafood or to be around anyone eating fish, baked beans, scramled eggs or blue cheese. Bleugh, but I would mention it beforehand.
    2. Good table manners are a must. Must use a knife and fork properly and not talk with mouth full. No elbows on the table etc.
    3. Have some knowledge and appreciation of wine. It's a turn off for me when a man doesn't know anything about wine. No sweet wine - unless with desert.
    4. Don't pig out. Guys who stuff themselves on a date are a turn off for me- especially if they are so full afterwards that they get gas and can't move etc. Personally I like to eat light on a date so I'm not too full for 'afterwards'.
    5. Don't 'feed' me. This grosses me out. Plus, taking food off my plate to try it- huge turn off.
    6. Don't get drunk and sloppy.
    7. Lastly- I'm being picky but I don't like it when a guy orders 'dainty' and 'sterotypically feminine' things- yes, it's just my perception. For example- ordering half a pint of larger or a hot chocolate with cream and marshmallows etc. It's just my taste but I like a 'real ale and bloody steak' kind of guy.

    Oh, and I'm okay with splitting the cheque. You might think some of these things are common sense (table-manners etc.) but I've encountered them on dates in the past. I'm sure loads of people on here have some good horror stories- I'd love to hear them!

    Of course, once I'm in a relationship (I'm married)- most of those 'guidelines' go out of the window.

    Ya think?
  • ndj1979
    ndj1979 Posts: 29,136 Member
    arditarose wrote: »
    misskarne wrote: »
    But I don't drink at all. I'm not about to force myself to drink disgusting wine or champagne just to impress a guy. Yuck.

    lol what? Then don't.

    don't you know rule five in paragraph ten states that all chicks have to drink wine and champagne on the first date?
  • FatOldManMN
    FatOldManMN Posts: 1,116 Member
    Hi-
    I'm going on my first date with a new guy and I don't know what to order. I don't know exactly where we are going, but I'm asking not necessarily in regards to calories but more in regards to what I "should eat." Like what looks better- a salad or a burger?

    Thanks!

    You can't be that insecure?!
  • ndj1979
    ndj1979 Posts: 29,136 Member
    Hi-
    I'm going on my first date with a new guy and I don't know what to order. I don't know exactly where we are going, but I'm asking not necessarily in regards to calories but more in regards to what I "should eat." Like what looks better- a salad or a burger?

    Thanks!

    You can't be that insecure?!

    it has already been established that OP is that insecure...
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