Introduction
We often get asked hobby-specific questions especially relating to whether you should involve them on first dates.
One of the most popular questions that we keep getting asked is whether we think playing video games on a first date is a good idea.
A date will only go well if you can keep the other person engaged and what better way to do that than by playing some Mario Kart or other family favorites.
There are a few intricacies to this question and it won’t always be succesful — let’s take a look at the pros and cons of playing games on your first date.
The Cons
1. Gaming can be seen as “childish”
Your date will more than likely have an image in their mind of who you are, even if you’ve only texted or messaged them a few times.
Unfortunately, not everyone shares the same views that games are just as fun for grown ups as they are for kids and this is where the perception that they’re “childish” comes from.
Some people have the perception that playing games means you don’t have your act together or that you may not be very grounded in reality.
Although you may find games fun, for other people, they may be seen as a waste of time or a childish way to spend your days.
It’s always important to be forthcoming about your gaming hobby to quickly find out whether your date will appreciate playing them with you, otherwise, it’s better to avoid the topic altogether.
2. Competition doesn’t always go down well
Not all games are competitive but most of the fun ones are.
This doesn’t always bring out the best in people which isn’t an ideal scenario if you’re trying to impress on a first date.
Maybe you can’t bring yourself to losing (even on a date), or conversely, maybe your date can’t.
If you end up in a fight because of the game then that’s basically the end of your date right there.
3. Some games don’t stimulate conversation
For a date to go down well it’s important to establish strong communication skills with each other from the get-go.
This often involves lots of talking, however, some games interrupt the opportunity to do that.
If you’re playing a slow-paced game with a story (such as an RPG), it probably won’t foster much excitement and thus, can become a conversation or mood killer which doesn’t leave a good impression.
4. Can you not think of anything better to do?
We adore games at Hobbyask and we even have a dedicated section about it, however, some people (even though they might like games) would prefer not to play games on a first date just because.
Some people might perceive it to be a cop-out from a “real” dating activity such as going for dinner, taking a moonlit walk down the beach, or even going to the cinema to watch a movie.
If you know you’re being lazy then we suggest avoiding gaming on a first date altogether as most people will pick up on your lack of enthusiasm and will be immediately turned off.
The Pros
1. Games can create excitement and an opportunity for physical contact
Without being creepy, games are a great way to stimulate excitement, especially if it’s a fast-paced game where you’ll both be trying to win or distract each other to gain an advantage over one another.
This creates the opportunity for natural physical contact (the none sexual kind) which helps improve communication and can leave a positive impression on the other person.
We recommend choosing games that are easy to get into where you’ll be able to have fun straight away such as Mario Kart, party games such as Overcooked, and even some fighter games like Smash Bros.
2. Games keep things casual
Not everyone likes the idea of getting dressed up to the nines or going to a public place (such as a restaurant) where they’re under the spotlight.
Games can be a good opportunity to keep your date casual where you’ll both be able to wear whatever you like and can lounge about in basically any position you want without judgment.
If you or your date are especially shy then gaming is a great way to keep things low-key whilst still being an entertaining way to spend your time together.
3. You might find common interests
If you don’t tell your date about games then how will you ever figure out if they like them or not?
Establishing common interests such as gaming habits early doors is very important as it can help to create a thriving relationship between you and your new partner, or at least can set them up with what to expect from you.
You might find they’re a massive nerd and love spending hours on their favorite MMORPG game, or maybe they prefer more casual games such as Mario Kart.
Whatever games they enjoy, it’s nice to know that your partner has similar interests that you can talk about on your date.
4. Games can give you both something to do once the date is over
Having a date go well is important, but it’s also important to maintain contact once the date is over.
If you’ve already established or broached the topic of playing games then it means you’ll be able to connect up later down the line on PlayStation or PC to play your favorite online games together.
In fact, there are so many games these days that’s it’s relatively easy to find something that you’ll both enjoy.
The Answer
Gaming is becoming more acceptable in dating scenarios, however, it’s still not the most traditional idea and does require good judgment about the other person to understand whether they’ll respond well to playing them or not.
If you’re good at reading people then playing games on a date can be an excellent choice especially as it keeps things casual and naturally leads to funny moments that can help break the ice.
Lastly, if you’re a guy reading this then never assume that girls don’t play games, it’s actually way more common than you’d imagine these days and some of the top pro gamers are girls.
