Like a girl but figured out she's a feminist? Wonder if dating her would be harder? Here are a few questions - and answers - you might have about dating a feminist for the first time:
1. Should I pick her up or meet somewhere else?
She's likely going to want to meet with you, but pick a place where you can talk properly and comfortably. Like any regular date, a noisy bar is out of the question if you want to get to know her well. However, be sure to pick a place where she can safely walk to and from her car by herself.
2. Do I have to be careful about what we talk about?
Hey, feminists don't bite, but if you happen to mention loving a sexist movie, be sure to be open-minded about hearing her opinion against it. That's one way to getting to know her better, even if you disagree. It also helps to have some basic knowledge about women's history so you're more sensitive to issues that she's passionate about, according to Cosmopolitan.
3. Will she be offended if I hold the door or pull a chair for her?
These gestures might show her that you're polite and a gentleman, however, some feminists believe that they are perfectly and physically able to do these themselves - so let them open the door. If they hold the door for the man, let them do that too. For a feminist, doing something "gentlemanly" should be natural, without any underlying motive like maybe earning more dates or scoring a kiss at the end of the night. However, it's also wrong to assume that a man wants something more from you if he's being nice, according to the Good Men Project.
On a first date, perhaps it will ease the pressure and the tension if everyone lightens up a bit and drop their defenses down. The most important thing is you both enjoy the moment.
4. Should I pay or should we split the bill?
Generally, if the man asks the woman out on a date, he should be picking up the tab. However, expect that a feminist may want to split paying for it, according to Ask Men. Don't make a fuss of it and let her do so. But ladies, some men might still want to follow the old-fashioned way pay for everything, especially on the first date. There's nothing wrong with that, too.
5. Should I kiss her at the end of the date?
This is more about respect and how you both feel after as your date is about to end. Communication and consent is important, so it's better to ask the girl, according to Everyday Feminism.
