Image via Complex Original
First dates will be some of the most awkward moments of your life. You could accidentally hit her with the car door while trying to open it for her (you are opening it for her, right?), your card could get declined, or, perhaps worst of all, you could end up staring everywhere but each other, and resort to talking about the weather.
Some people sabotage themselves by picking the most unappealing places to kick this would-be relationship off. If you're eating next to a children's ball pit, those "people" could be you. In case you don't have the good sense to avoid these place on your own, we found 25 of the worst places to take a first date for you. Take notes.
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An Aquarium
In third grade, the class took a field trip to the aquarium. Your dad was a chaperone, you peed your pants, and some girl flicked a booger at you. When you lean in for the first kiss in front of the clownfish, this is all you will think about it. Avoid the flashbacks and grab sushi instead.
An Ice Skating Rink/Roller Skating Rink/Anywhere that Requires Wheels
Even if you're on your #olympicsflow, she may not be. Best case scenario: she upstages you. Worst case scenario: one or both of you end up in the ER.
A Wedding
Weddings are ocassions where people who love each other invite everyone else they love to watch them celebrate their love. Key word here: love. Save this for further along in the relationship when those "when is your save the date going out" questions are ha-ha awkward and not run-screaming-to-the-car awkward cause you met the day before and you don't even know your last name.
A Walk Down Memory Lane
Not a literal place, but people like to take dates on a scenic tour of the history of all their exes. We are willing to bet money that no one, not even your mother, wants to hear you complain about the one time your ex hacked into your email just because you came home at 6 a.m. for 2 weeks smelling like another woman's perfume.
To Your Own Birthday Party
This, or any other situation that will make her compete for your attention, is a bad idea. If you can't make the first date about her, the rest of relationship is looking grim.
An Arcade
She does not want to watch you play Dance Dance Revolution for two hours against an 8-year-old who is beating you. Badly.
A Zoo
Zoos are for children young enough to appreciate animals and not think of them all as creatures who chirp directly next to your window, on purpose, exactly 3 minutes before your alarm goes off every single morning. And they kinda smell. Wait until you have some babies for this one.
A Shooting Range
A fundamental rule of first dates: avoid controversial topics. Gun control is one of these topics. Pick a restaurant and talk about how much you hate work like the rest of us.
A Beach
What's your plan, to build sandcastles together? Just no.
A Carnival/Amusement Park
Would you like to vomit on her or be vomited on? The choice is yours.
A Museum
Unless you met while bonding over dinasour fossils or ancient Grecian artifacts, stay away. Our reasoning boils down to two words: no booze. First date jitters abound.
Out With Friends
There's no better way to tell her you feel "meh" about her. Get some one on one, and leave the clown squad at home.
A Double Date
You can't bring a first date to dinner with your homie and his long term girl. While you're all reminiscing about that sick rooftop party, she'll be plotting her bathroom window escape.
A Concert
Please consider her shock when Rick Ross' grunts over the speakers inspire you to go shirtless, too. Save turning up for date two.
A Movie Theater
Are you a brilliant conversationalist? She'll never know, because you'll be sitting in the dark in silence for two hours.
A Sports Event
Unless you bonded over MNF, don't waste your time. Her complete lack of interest in sports will ruin the extraness that is your touchdown celebration, anyway.
At Your House
Nothing says IDGAF like inviting her to "come over." Pick her up and take her somewhere, anywhere, that's not your house.
An Extreme Sport
Jumping out of a plane may not even be appropriate for when you're married if you value her life or even yours, but especially not on date one. She didn't put on high heels in order for them to be lost base jumping or white water rafting or whatever else people do when they're bored and have little regard for their lives.
A Fast Food Restaurant
Just say no to taking her somewhere where you can get a toy with your meal.
A Shopping Mall
Sitting on a bench outside Forever 21 is a special punishment reserved for fathers and long-term boyfriends. If she's not your baby mama and you haven't seen the inside of her apartment, avoid retail.
A Camping Trip
Mother Nature isn't for everyone. Really only like three people like her, and your date probably isn't one of them.
A Religious Event
So you think you saw Jesus that one time you did shrooms in the forest with your boys and we're all very happy for you but that doesn't mean you need to take your girl to your place of worship. Save the hallelujahs for later in the relationship.
At the Club
Face down, butt up. Not the way to have a get-to-know-you conversation.
A Family Dinner
You don't even like having dinner with your mother. Why subject her to it? Also, it's too soon.
A Bar
We've all ordered a Long Island Ice Tea and ended up looking like an extra from Sex and the City with an appletini in our hands. It's not because the bartender has hearing problems, it's because it's loud as hell. Take her here, at the night wil devolve into a shouting match.