PlanJam!From your screen to the scene

In junior high, before our parents would let us go out solo with the cute boy from history class, we embarked into the crowded and often hormone filled cesspool of group dating. Usually we were paired up with other kids our parents were friends with. Or worse, we had to cross our fingers that we didn’t get stuck with older brothers with new driver’s licenses or teamed up with cousins in town visiting for the holidays. All we wanted were a few stolen moments with the cute boy, but we rarely, if ever, got them.

Now that you are in your thirties the concept of group dating may seem as grubby as those flannel shirts you used to wear every day, but group dating is the perfect opportunity to embrace the retro. If you are single you may have anxiety over the dreaded third wheel syndrome. This is why a group (defined as a cluster of person or things) is for you.

Not quite ready to spend so much alone time with the possible Mr. Right? Chances are you have friends that are also in different spectrums of the dating rainbow. A couple that has been together for ages can rekindle some of their old spark in a group date setting.

Much like compiling the perfect mixed tape, approaching group dating is all about the right balance. The first thing to consider is who should be in the group. Even when best behavior is anticipated, some personalities just don’t jive well. This is not the time to bring together people with opposing political or religious views. While the heated conversations might make a great floorshow in the back seat of your car, after a while everyone will be miserable. This is also not the time or place for dabbling in matchmaking. In general people don’t like the surprise set-up, even if it was done with the best of intentions.

Now that you have your group in mind it is time to mull over activities. The time-honored classic ‘dinner and a movie’ is fun in a group. There is nothing like taking up a full row in the movie theatre and passing tubs of popcorn down the line. There are, however, many other options for group dating.

Consider going en masse to a concert just out of town. The car ride there is a perfect way for new people to get to know each other. By the time you are on your way home new friendships have formed.

Trying out the trendy and hip new nightclub downtown might seem daunting. You may be tempted to go for the old standard of doing it up as a girl’s night out. Contemplate expanding your invite list to make it a group date. Established couples get the nudge to break their routine, new couples aren’t saddled with just one dancing partner, and singles can play the field with the added security of knowing that a group is there for back up or security. Group dating is your ultimate wing-man.