Go Window Shopping

This is a good way to get to know someone—it gives you a pulse on the things they would like to have but don't. It also provides plenty of outside stimulation to keep the conversation going, which can be extremely helpful if you're not the world's greatest talker.

COST

Free except for parking and snacks or a meal.

PREPARATION

Set a reasonable time limit for this kind of date. Usually two hours is sufficient. More than that and a migraine might set in or your feet might get really sore. If things go well, you can always suggest an early dinner or a movie. Or maybe you'll want to leave it as is and keep your date wondering. (Sometimes less is more, especially when it's early in the dating game.)

Wear casual clothes and comfortable shoes.

WHERE?

Find a street with interesting shops... a downtown shopping area, a street lined with secondhand shops, art galleries or interesting design and furniture stores. If the weather is crummy, window shop inside a mall. If the weather is nice, window shop outside.

BE SMART

Now is not the time to shop for clothes. If you see something you want to try on, come back later unless you want your date to join you in the fitting room. For this kind of date, it's probably best to have no shopping agenda of your own other than to enjoy yourselves.

Focus on your date. If you see something interesting on one of the display TVs in an electronics store, don't stand in front of it and gawk. This would be like shouting "I like what's on the TV better than you!"

FOOD

This is a casual date that calls for casual food. Buy a drink and a pretzel or have lunch at a funky hamburger stand.