So you’re on an early date - where and what are going to do?  You might already have been for the first meal or drink and you think there might be something there ...so what next?   You could go to the cinema but there’s not much chance to chat,  is there?  And these early meetings are all about getting to know someone better so you need something else...

What about suggesting an active date - where you get something physical going? (and I don’t mean that!!)  You may not feel that physical persuits are your thing but sometimes doing something unusual that you’re not used to can bring people together quicker than anything else.

I remember reading an article in the paper about Christine Brinckley (she was married to Billy Joel that 70’s singer?) who got together with her new beau (after Joel’s “I love you just the way you are” hit song hadn’t worked)  after he and she had been stranded together in a plane crash.  Now I’m not suggesting you go to such extreme measures but I do think if there was a dating agency that arranged really scarey experiences for couples, bonding would happen in the most unlikely pairings!

Scare yourself into intimacy!

So why not set up your own scarey experience to bring you both together?  What about  going on a roller coaster ride?   You’ll be clinging to his/her coat in no time. Trouble is they might be clinging to yours! 

What about booking a stint at Go Ape? http://www.goape.co.uk/   Have your heard of it? It’s in a variety of venues across the country, set up in forestry parks where you can go and walk across an activity trail high up in the trees-  a “high wire forest adventure” !  You’ll be about 15 feet up (with a harness) and you can step lightly over swinging foot pads and zip wire at frightening speeds toward a  pile of leaves waiting to soften your landing.  Imagine the thrill of seeing your would-be mate swinging Tarzan-like across the ravine to join you?!  If this is sounding like your idea of hell then try something slightly less dangerous.  A game of tennis perhaps?  Does it matter that you haven’t played in years?   No- if your partner has then they can teach you and look good returning all your bum shots and if they haven’t either you can both have a laugh together about how awful you are- or even sign up for lessons together.

What about taking your would be partner out for a walk in the park and taking some inline skates with you? Even if you havne’t tried these things before you  can bond over shared fallings down and mutual bruises!

If all this physical jerks talks is really not your idea of fun- what about a good walk or hike, following a map, for the afternoon?  When you’re doing something else i.e. concentrating on putting one foot in front of the other and figuring out which route to take,  then conversation can flow without you having to think about it.  Even if it doesn’t, walking in companiable silence may make you realise the person next to you is good company and worth getting to know more...

Whatever you decide to try- stay safe- and send me your experiences:

Chrissie Gallagher-Mundy has 20 years' experience as a fitness author, lecturer and health promotion expert. She is the Managing Director of The London Academy of Personal Fitness (www.lapf.co.uk) and is on hand to answer any of your health & fitness questions (simply email chrissie [at] lapf.co.uk).