How Long Should a First Date Last?
If you’ve read any of our advice columns on first dates, you know that there are a million and one questions that come up the first time you’re going on a date with someone. But heck, we probably don’t need to tell you that!
A very popular question that we see asked time and time again is how long should a first date last? Should a first date be over or under an hour? Is there such thing as too long or too short of a first date?
All great questions that we completely understand why you’re asking. In this guide, we’re going to help you answer those questions along with plenty more. Whether you are planning a first date, about to head out the door on one, or just getting started in dating and want to be prepared—we’ve got you covered.
The Overarching Disclaimer About First Date Lengths
We’re going to give you a lot of insight into what we think the appropriate length of a first date is. We’ll give you different parameters you can look at to make a determination. But at the end of the day, there is no hard and fast rule about how long a first date should be.
Yes, you heard that right. While we think there are preferred lengths, there is no single right answer to how long a first date should last. For example, if a first date goes terribly and you end it after five minutes, that’s the right length! If a first date goes amazingly and you spend hours on end together, that’s the right length!
We share this for one reason. Take our advice and recommendations to heart. However, do so in a flexible way that leaves room for emotions, excitement, and circumstances to change things up if needed.
How Long Should I Plan for the First Date
A lot of you here today are curious about the length of a first date because you’re trying to plan appropriate activities. What we’d like to do is give you a starting range and then we’ll give you a few questions to ask to adjust that appropriately. Then, with that length in mind, you can start to plan your date activities.
The usual length of a first date is between 45 minutes to 2 hours, with an average length of about one hour.
Now, before you run off and start planning a date for exactly one hour, let’s look at a few things that might have an effect on that length.
Logistical and Scheduling Constraints
The first thing that can (and should) have an effect on the length of the first date is any logistical or scheduling time constraints. For example, if you’re grabbing food on their lunch break, you probably can’t have a two-hour date because they have to get back to work. Or, maybe they have a dinner with their family they have to get to and you’re grabbing drinks beforehand—you don’t want to plan a date that’s going to make them late.
Not only do you want to look at your own time constraints and schedule, but it’s super respectful to check if they have anything else going on so you’re aware of what to plan and you can help if they need to be done by a certain time.
If there is a time or scheduling constraint, shift the maximum first date time down accordingly (or look to reschedule).
Any Expectations Already Talked About
A lot of times people will hint at what they like to do for first dates and how long they like those to last. For example, if they are talking about grabbing a cup of coffee to get to know each other, you can probably guess that means they want to feel things out and then decide how long that date is going to be. In that situation, the date could be as short as 20 minutes or as long as several hours.
You’re not always going to get hints within the conversation about the desired length of the first date, but when you do, respect them and use them.
If it sounds like they want a longer date, adjust longer. If it sounds like they like to play it by year, adjust shorter and be prepared for a wide range of lengths.
How Well You Know Your Date
If it’s someone you’ve only talked with a little bit online and don’t know at all, your best bet is to plan for shorter dates. This allows both of you an easy way out of the date in case things aren’t what you expected. But if it’s someone you’ve been friends with or known for a while, you’re probably safe planning for an average length date (1-2 hours) because there’s no real risk of surprises.
Unfortunately, some people put up photos that don’t accurately reflect who they are or don’t accurately describe themselves. When you show up and this happens, you don’t want to be locked into a several-hour date that’s clearly a waste of your time.
If you know them well, you can schedule a normal-length first date with no worries. If they’re someone new who you don’t know very well, a shorter first date is going to be the best bet.
Special Events and Dates
The last thing to consider is if the two of you have decided to do something for a first date that has a special timeframe. For example, maybe you decided to go to an all-day music festival together. If you did, that first date will probably be really long (and that’s okay)!
If you do have something come up in conversation that’s out of the ordinary for a first date and it’s really long, that’s okay.
Planning for When Things Go Well
While we already talked about the time constraints of planning for your first date, there’s a bit more planning you need to do. What is the plan if things go really well? Will (and should) that have an effect on the length of the first date?
The answer is that it depends! Hooray, ambiguity! Let us explain. The real answer is that it’s going to be completely up to you.
If the date went amazing and you want to stick to the original plan, that’s okay! Sometimes that can help it from going stale later or getting into any awkward territory.
If it went amazing and you want to spend more time together, that’s also okay! What you need, though, is a plan of something to do relatively close to the first date area. For example, if you got dinner, maybe have an ice cream place close by in the back of your mind. If you got drinks, maybe have a place to go for a walk in the back of your mind.
There’s no right or wrong answer here and you can decide in the heat of the moment. But we do recommend at least having a potential plan in mind in case you both do want to extend the length of the first date.
The Length of a First Date When Things Go Poorly
Certainly, we are all hoping your first date goes amazingly. However, that’s not always the case. Sometimes it’s just not what you expected, and sometimes it’s just awful.
Should this have an effect on the length of the date? Absolutely.
Here’s something important:
You are never required to spend even one second more with someone that you don’t want to. Period.
Now, there are situations where it’s kind to see the date through, but we want to make sure you know you’re never trapped or obligated.
If the date goes crazy bad, you probably want to be ready to leave right away. For example, if they don’t look like their pictures at all, lied to you about something, or you feel unsafe—you can leave right away without explaining yourself. Yes, this will make for a pretty short first date, but that’s okay.
If the date is just not that great, we’d probably recommend staying for at least one drink or one coffee or the duration of a show/event they may have paid for tickets to. Again, you don’t have to, but it’s probably the kind thing to do and they may have just been nervous at the start (and the date might get better!).
Should You Read Into the Length of a First Date?
The last thing we want to talk about today is whether or not you can glean some information from the length of a first date. Do longer first dates signify they liked you more? Does a short first date ultimately mean it didn’t go great?
The answer, again, is that it depends. No, you can’t get a definitive answer, but yes, you can draw more than likely conclusions.
Here are our thoughts to consider:
- If a date looks like they can’t wait to get out of there, most likely they’re not that interested. This becomes even more true if they’re blatantly trying to cut parts of the date short.
- If your date seems like they want things to continue and you end up doing more than originally planned, this is almost always a really good sign that they’re into you.
- If you offer to extend the date but they choose to end it as scheduled, don’t read into this very much. You may think this means they’re not into you, but they could just have plans or obligations afterward, or they may just be someone who likes to stick to the schedule.
Excellent site. A lot of useful info here. I am sending it to
some pals ans also sharing in delicious. And certainly, thanks on your
sweat!
Good way of telling, and good paragraph to get information about
my presentation topic, which i am going to deliver in institution of higher education.
My partner and I stumbled over here coming from a different web address and thought I should check things out.
I like what I see so now i am following you. Look forward to finding out about your web page for a
second time.
Wow! This blog looks exactly like my old one! It’s on a totally different topic but it has pretty much the
same layout and design. Superb choice of colors!
What you said made a bunch of sense. However, what about this?
suppose you added a little content? I mean, I don’t
want to tell you how to run your website, however what if you added
a title to possibly get a person’s attention? I mean How Long Should a First Date Last?
– Dating Alore is kinda plain. You should look at Yahoo’s front page and see how they
write article titles to get people to click. You might
try adding a video or a related picture or two
to grab people excited about what you’ve got to say.
In my opinion, it would make your posts a little livelier.
Hi I am so excited I found your blog, I really found you by error, while I was browsing on Digg for something else, Nonetheless I
am here now and would just like to say cheers for a incredible post and a all round entertaining
blog (I also love the theme/design), I don’t have time
to read it all at the minute but I have bookmarked it and also added in your RSS feeds, so when I have time I will be back to read more, Please do
keep up the superb job.
Heya i am for the first time here. I found this board and I find It
really useful & it helped me out much. I hope to give something back and help
others like you aided me.
Good day! I just want to give you a huge thumbs up for
the great information you’ve got right here on this post.
I will be coming back to your site for more soon.
bookmarked!!, I really like your web site!
Hi there Dear, are you genuinely visiting this web page daily, if so then you will without doubt obtain nice experience.
We’re a gaggle of volunteers and opening a new scheme
in our community. Your web site provided us with useful info to
work on. You’ve performed a formidable activity and our whole neighborhood might be thankful to
you.
It’s an remarkable paragraph for all the online visitors;
they will obtain advantage from it I am sure.
Hey I am so grateful I found your blog, I really found you by accident, while I was browsing on Google for something else,
Nonetheless I am here now and would just like to say thanks a lot for a tremendous post and a all round exciting blog (I also love the theme/design), I don’t have time to read it all at the minute but
I have bookmarked it and also added your RSS feeds, so when I
have time I will be back to read much more, Please
do keep up the fantastic b.
Great beat ! I would like to apprentice while you amend your website, how could i
subscribe for a blog site? The account helped me a acceptable
deal. I had been a little bit acquainted of this your broadcast offered bright clear concept
Wow! After all I got a blog from where I be able to truly
take useful information concerning my study and knowledge.
I love what you guys are usually up too.
Such clever work and reporting! Keep up the fantastic
works guys I’ve added you guys to our blogroll.
Your point of view caught my eye and was very interesting. Thanks. I have a question for you. https://www.binance.com/en/join?ref=PORL8W0Z
Good day I am so happy I found your blog, I really found you by mistake,
while I was researching on Bing for something else, Anyways
I am here now and would just like to say kudos for a incredible post and a all round thrilling blog (I also love the theme/design), I don’t have time to
go through it all at the moment but I have saved it and
also added in your RSS feeds, so when I have time
I will be back to read a lot more, Please do keep up the great b.
Thanks for sharing. I read many of your blog posts, cool, your blog is very good.
cheap lasuna pills – buy generic diarex online where to buy himcolin without a prescription
order gabapentin 800mg generic – azulfidine order online purchase azulfidine online
probenecid 500mg uk – order tegretol 200mg pill tegretol 400mg brand
buy cheap celebrex – flavoxate usa buy indomethacin 50mg generic
mebeverine 135 mg tablet – buy arcoxia cheap pletal order online
diclofenac without prescription – buy aspirin 75 mg generic aspirin 75 mg usa
rumalaya price – elavil 50mg sale order endep 10mg pill
pyridostigmine pills – sumatriptan buy online cheap azathioprine 50mg
brand voveran – generic nimodipine buy nimodipine no prescription
buy ozobax pills for sale – cheap piroxicam 20mg buy generic feldene over the counter
mobic price – order meloxicam 15mg generic ketorolac uk
periactin us – generic tizanidine 2mg purchase tizanidine online cheap
buy generic trihexyphenidyl online – buy artane sale where can i purchase diclofenac gel
omnicef 300 mg generic – buy clindamycin without a prescription purchase cleocin
accutane pills – buy deltasone 40mg generic deltasone 40mg price
buy prednisone cheap – prednisone price buy zovirax paypal
purchase permethrin cream – benzac canada tretinoin cream without prescription
betamethasone tubes – monobenzone uk monobenzone online order
order flagyl 200mg online cheap – order cenforce 100mg for sale buy cenforce 100mg pills
augmentin 1000mg usa – buy augmentin 625mg pills levoxyl brand
where to buy clindamycin without a prescription – oral cleocin 300mg indocin 75mg ca
order losartan 25mg for sale – order keflex online purchase keflex without prescription
order eurax sale – buy crotamiton paypal aczone for sale online
generic modafinil 100mg – buy generic provigil for sale purchase melatonin sale
buy zyban 150 mg – zyban 150 mg over the counter shuddha guggulu over the counter
capecitabine order online – buy danocrine 100 mg danocrine order
order prometrium 200mg for sale – cheap clomiphene pill fertomid brand
purchase fosamax for sale – how to buy pilex buy provera 10mg pills
generic aygestin 5mg – buy bimatoprost without a prescription cheap yasmin
cabergoline drug – dostinex 0.5mg pills buy alesse medication
cheap estradiol 1mg – oral letrozole buy arimidex pills
гѓ—гѓ¬гѓ‰гѓ‹гѓі гЃЇйЂљиІ©гЃ§гЃ®иіј – гѓ‰г‚シサイクリン通販おすすめ イソトレチノイン её‚иІ© гЃЉгЃ™гЃ™г‚Ѓ
order indinavir for sale – purchase finasteride without prescription buy diclofenac gel online cheap
valif fry – valif material sinemet 10mg ca
oral modafinil 200mg – buy duricef 500mg online cheap buy lamivudine pills
ivermectin 12mg stromectol – buy ivermectin canada carbamazepine sale