So, we’re at home, queer-antined (read: quarantined) and at this point all of us around the world are practicing social distancing and keeping away from any form of mass gatherings. Restaurants around the world are transitioning to take-out, delivery or curbside pickups. Most governments are encouraging that no more than 10 people are together at once. Dating is going to be difficult.
…I said difficult, NOT impossible. Sorry Grindr dates that haven’t met in person yet, you’ll have to settle for facetime and long-distance dating (unless you’re really bold, you do you).
For those of us either newly dating or have been with our person for a while, I have a surprisingly long list of ideas (honestly, more than I expected to think of - ha!). What's the difference between two people that like (or *cough* love *cough*) each other and two people on a date? Setting the mood.
If you’re going on a ‘social distancing date’ (what. a. phrase… isolation date, nope; queer-antine date… yeah, that might work for me) there are a few things you can do. First, shower, I really hope you haven’t been skipping this during queerantine, but definitely shower before your date.
Next, feel good about yourself and wear something nice for your date (and please put on a fresh pair of undies … try out ThePack breathable undies with its antibacterial pouch lining). Okay, looks like you’re ready for a … queer-antine date. Feel free to pick one or several ideas to make it a fun time for both of you!
1. Go for a Virtual Walk Together!
Yes, we can still go outside (in moderation and follow whatever guidelines are relevant in your community right now)… so, why not enjoy a nice day or evening with a walk around the neighborhood. Stream your morning walk with your date or record your favorite route. If you have a dog, sure, bring Scrappy too.
2. Cook Over Skype Together!
Move over nightly ramen noodles, we’re making chicken tikka masala tonight. Okay, that may be a little ambitious. But there are many recipes out there for beginners that anyone can follow… or skype and follow your date's culinary instructions to making their fav meal. After the meal you'll likely know if you both have the same tastes 🙃
3. Recreate Your First Date!
For couples that have been together for a while, see how creative you can be to re-do your first date… virtually. Bowling? Set up some random objects and roll up a tinfoil ball. Met up for coffee or drinks? – try to remake those drinks and the conversations from that date.
4. Exercise Together!
Gyms are closing, but there’s a lot of guided workouts you can try from home (looking at you, Yoga) or perhaps one of you already has a routine that you can share with the other over skype.
Yes, here’s an idea that we advocate as it gets our happiness hormones up. Upload your own video party where you lip-sync, sing or dance in ThePack party gear or underwear! Make sure to sing or dance like everyone is watching!
Fresh Air. You’ve been inside a lot, let’s take that meal you cooked or queerantini and move the setting outside and stream from the balcony or private garden/patio.
7. Order Take-Out (and Enjoy Around Candlelight)!
Okay, maybe cooking together is out… but there are still several restaurants that are providing carry-out or delivery. Honestly, during these times of queer-antine, you’d be really helping small businesses and their employees by ordering from them.
8. Fort Night!
Okay… not Fortnite, no. But for those with cabin fever, make the cabin into a tent. Y’all… I’m trying. Couch fort, pitch a tent in the living room, change up your surroundings. Make it extra fun by playing your date's favorite music.
9. Movie!
With the established ground rules I’m willing to allow a movie… though, I feel like at this point you’ve binged & chilled on all the flix. Pick their favorite movie and stream it together.
10. Plan Your After-Queer-antine Date!
It’s never too soon to plan ahead, start exploring what you’d like to do if it was open and we weren’t social distancing. Once it’s safe, pick a day and do it! You can also support your future date locations by purchasing gift cards now (support local and all!).
If the date(s) goes well... who knows what could happen 🤩
Editors Note:
+We stumbled upon some awesome dating ideas during your isolation from our fav KISS FM team!!
++This written article constitutes a fair-use of any copyrighted material as provided for in section 107 of the US copyright law.
