The song and dance of that first date
Okay, so that girl (or guy?) your friend of a friend introduced you to finally agreed to meet you in person, after a few obligatory weeks of playing cat and mouse via social media. It’s finally time to throw on some cologne, break out the old ironing board and blow the dust off of that jacket you’ve been saving for a night like this.
Now, all that’s left is to choose a perfectly neutral location, in plain view of the public eye, so as not to seem like a thirsty creep or an ex-convict.
Do I take her to dinner? The Cheesecake Factory is too “Happy Graduation” and something about Applebee’s just screams “FRIEND ZONE.” Well, on second thought, maybe dinner is too forward. And we can’t get to know each other during a movie.
Enough of the internal debate – skip the tumultuous throes of decision-making and cut to the chase. You both know you’ll wind up at a Starbucks one way or another.
Starbucks and Match.com team up for obvious reasons
Starbucks knows how frequently its beige and green interior provide hearth to newfound star-crossed lovers, so it has finally decided to play along. Merging with Match.com, one of the better-known online dating sites, is a strong move, and just in time for Valentine’s Day.
According to Match.com, coffee houses are homes to a whopping one third of first dates. The site is now offering a feature called “Meet at Starbucks,” which, as you might have deductively surmised, locates the most convenient Starbucks for you and your potential mate to visit.
If this isn’t enough, Starbucks will also be spouting lovey-dovey intercom tunes, serving seasonal menu items, and housing holiday-themed props. Although having a first date at Starbucks isn’t something that most eligible bachelors would go parading around boasting about, the shop is setting you two up for a few prime photo opportunities.
It might seem hokey to some, and a transparent marketing ploy to others, but Starbucks maintains that it’s simply celebrating the holiday and the interpersonal connections it represents. Who knows, maybe the girl behind the counter will spell my name properly. Love is in the air, folks, so anything is possible.
