*chuckles* well then
The more formal/courtly boyfriend is actually older than you. But still I'd have kind of an issue with the whole ordering for me thing. And while I fully agree that wine/champagne appropriately paired is fundamentally different than getting sloshed, as a 'dislikes the taste of alcohol' person, it wouldn't work so much.
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Well, there are rather a lot of alternatives to alcohol. One of my favorites is Pellegrino fizzy mineral water with a twist. From my corner, I don't drink wine for the taste of alcohol but for the complexity of taste of the specific wine complimenting the food. If I don't see what I think would do well I very often go with something soft. As to cocktails, there are always the old standbyes such as OJ and tonic, Ginger ale and cranberry juice, etc. Being old fashioned I suppose my priority is to see that my date enjoyes herself, not getting her out of her comfort zone on a first date!
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None of that is a dealbreaker so much though. And such a formal date CAN be completely appealing. I go about dating very much differently than others though, in that I would know the person very well before that first date - even just online, I typically talk/bond a lot before meeting. The times I have not done that have ended poorly, the times I have have resulted in relationships.
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As I mentioned, blind dates are very rare in my case. I like to know the person a bit before I ask her out on a date, so I tend to agree with you there.
In my earlier posting I mentioned that the lady's eyes are a major thing with me. I'd like to lock eyeballs and see both her and my reactions.
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All of that said, my *ahem* dance card is a bit full at the moment in that I don't think I could see adding particularly another long distance relationship, but you know, you have my PM box
*eyebrow waggle*
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Hmmm... *thoughtful smile*
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I want to make it clear I wouldn't reject the date in and of itself, but would just adjust a few things for an 'ideal' date.
I got one of those kind of dates, including a walk afterwards that could be considered a 'constitutional' and was awesome.