First dates are nerve-wracking. They could be the start of a beautiful relationship, or the beginning of the end of an unfortunate meeting. Live SA took to the streets of Cape Town and Johannesburg to ask young people to to share their dating experiences.
What has been your worst date?
Mpho Mushupya (20) JHB
“This man I was out with tried cutting his meat and it flew off the plate. It was so embarrassing. He then followed it up with a lame joke. The whole date was very awkward.”
Kyra Trytsman (18) CPT
“We went to the beach, but it was strange because it was winter and he wanted to swim. I didn’t know that he would want to swim so I wore normal clothes. He then invited me to swim and I thought no, because it was too cold for that. He also spoke about himself a lot. I was just so over it.”
Mukhetwa Khakhu (19) JHB
“I had to pay the bill on one very bad first date. The guy’s card was declined and I had to pay R600. He promised to pay me back and guess what? I never saw him again.”
What has been your best date?
Aviwe Belewa (21) JHB
“My best date was when my date took me to Bela Bela. We had a nice relaxed weekend and nothing was asked for or expected in return.”
Kneo Mokgopa (21) CPT
“We went mini-golfing. It distracted me from the whole ‘interview’ feel that dates tend to have, asking the person a million questions. It was fun and I got to know the person.”
Nomzamo Pearl Tshabalala (20) JHB
“My best date was when my current boyfriend first took me out. We went to Hyde Park, had dinner and drinks and then we went out to a club in Sandton. He won me over.”
What is a first date no-no?
Bontle Kagisho (19) CPT
“Arriving late is a big no-no.”
Pola Mazus (22) CPT
“Expecting someone to go home with you afterwards. Going into the date and expecting it to end up in the bedroom.”
Sihle Aberam (22) JHB
“Don’t try too much. You can’t be all money and no romance. Even I know this and I don’t do romance.”
What is the rule in terms of the bill? Who pays?
Katlego Tlabela (21) CPT
“In an ideal world, the man should pay but unfortunately student budget problems, so going half-half is okay.”
Julian Sendin (20-something) CPT
“Very difficult, because you don’t want to be all patriarchal by offering to pay for everything, but also don’t want to seem cheap and asking to go half-way. The best thing to do would be to go somewhere with more than one activity, where each will pay for something.”
Sampa Nakamba (20) JHB
“Both partners should pay on a date unless one insists.”
What would save the date from being the worst to the best?
Faith Bodiba (20) JHB
“A good save for a chaotic first date is a man who is a good kisser. That would make me forgive the mess that was the date.”
Mukhetwa Khakhu (19) JHB
“Set up another one to make up for the bad one. Be decent enough to do that.”
Kneo Mokgopa (21) CPT
“A distraction. Sometimes people tend to focus on getting to know the person and a person gets too conscious on how they answer the question. So a distraction from that could save the date.”
Words: @AsandaGura and @TsheggyZA
Pictures: @AndyMkosi and @PrettiPiktures
