One guy I know has a really great methodology for first dates: invite her to do something you really enjoy. If you’re into music, for example, ask if she’d like to go to a concert. If you love sushi, ask her out for that. If you get a kick out of looking at bizzarre artwork, or poking through antique shops, or going on hikes, or making French Toast and watching Saturday morning cartoons, or photographing different species of wildflowers, go for it. The idea is that instead of doing something cliché, you’re finding out how well you’d actually get along in the long run. And hey, you’ll actually be more like yourself if you’re having fun. If she has fun, too, then you’ll have someone cool to spend time with.
Granted, If you’re asking out the most hearthrobbingly beautiful creature you’ve ever seen and though you suppose you’re impossibly incompatible, you your life won’t be complete unless you give it a shot, maybe you’ll wanna stick with a typical first date like mini golf or dinner and a movie. But no one can pretend to be “normal” for the rest of their lives. And even if you’re not thinking in terms of the rest of your life, the point of dating is to have fun and get to know each other. How can you get to know each other when you’re pretending to be someone else?
Legend of Velda 