Date (DAY-t) n. the oblong edible fruit of a palm

Wait...what are we talking about?

I am still lobbying for the Zoo!

How about the B&O museum? Who doesn't like trains?

The Babe Ruth Museum - Nothing says romance like an abusive drunk!

The Baltimore Maritime Museum - I don't want to meet the girl who can't appreciate a WW2 era submarine.

I like museums.

I think the potential for sex should also be a part of the definition of a date. Otherwise, its just two people sharing a meal, or a drink, or a movie, or whatever. I think the potential for sex (romance, whatever) is what distinguishes it as a date.

JTK, you crack me up. "Nothing says abuse like an abusive drunk." Hee. As for zoos, I'm gonna have to disagree -- they're just stinky and depressing, I think. Certainly wouldn't put me in the mood for love.

Susan K: You're right. Potential for romance is key.

Depends on the person. I'm a vet student interested in zoo medicine, so a zoo would be a great place for me (and the people I mostly associate with are largely animal lovers as well).

Working at the KC zoo last summer, I saw a whole lot of couples. I was even surprised by how many of 'em seemed to be teens/early 20's folks.

I once had a girl tell me that she would only agree to go on a date if I could come up w/ a unique idea. I did a little research and found out about the Martha Lewis- a skip jack in Havre de Grace that offers an array of guided tours and cruises. We went on an afternoon cruise, and I ended up dating her for almost 2 yrs.

Maryann, my apartment is stinky and depressing, but a heck of a lot of romantic stuff happens there. Well, not a lot. Well, some. Does watching Scrubs reruns after work count?

I still maintain that the Zoo is a decent place for a date! You get to do a lot of walking around. There can be sitting, looking at exotic animals, and monkeys doing it. If the Bloodhound Gang has taught me anything, is that is a romantic time!

Sidebar: If the zoo doesn't get it for you or museums, how about Pimlico? Our race industry could certainly use the shot in the arm and I find it romantic when a girl is screaming for a 25-1 to come out over a 3-1 in an exacta box. Of course, it's not romantic when I start threatening to punch "Gammy's a Winner" in the neck because it failed to come in third and complete my trifecta.

I'm with JTK on the Zoo, although it's price-y. Last time I was there - last fall - it was $15/head. The State Fair is fun, but it's along time to wait until August. (Artscape, mmmmm, not so much...) The BMA and the Walters are both free admission, too, and, again, stuff to talk about. (I worry about having to listen to boring stories about exes.)

For the record, I was being sarcastic. (laughing)

Susan K: I like the way you think! But it is tough to assume sex until a couple dates in... most of the time. This is almost a split topic. Huge difference between early getting-to-know you dates and dates later into a relationship.

I always have a tough time with the standard date thing and usually stick to dinner and a movie or whatever, especially early on if I don't know the woman's interests well enough. Even I think it is a bit boring, but I have a huge running list of restaurants to try anyway.

Otherwise I personally like the zoo! I think Maryann just hates animals ;) Also there's the Science Center, Aquarium, Visionary Art Museum, Walters, BMA and other museums. Then there are sporting events like the O's and Ravens or you can be active yourselves going biking, hiking, tennis, etc. Tons of music venues to take in a show at the 8x10, Ottobar and Talking Head. This time of year many ethnice and other themed festivals at Patterson Park, Fells and Federal Hill, etc going on most weekends. Then there are food cooking places like My Girlfriend's Kitchen, but I don't think most guys would like that. More of a girl night social thing. I'd rather just cook a meal for her or together at home. Okay, I'm out of ideas for now. Need to start lining up some dates.