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Dating for the poor college student
Published Nov. 5, 2010
College is a cesspool of casual dating, but it’s often without the adult budget and wallet to do so. Instead of skipping out on the simple pleasures of dating, try these nearly free alternatives to the courting norm.
Prance over to Peace Park and plan a simple dessert picnic under the stars. Try a simple recipe such as preparing chocolate cocoa, which can be made in only minutes with sugar, salt, milk, vanilla extract, cocoa powder and peppermint extract for a holiday boost. Researchers suggest two main ingredients in chocolate, tryptophan and phenylethylamine, can be small aphrodisiacs for your pursuit. Wow your date into a starry-eyed surprise and download Star Walk (an astonishing $2.99) on your iPhone or iPod Touch, which will let you see the constellations in real-time in conjunction with your location and the curve of your wrist.
Buy a couple dollar kites at Toys “R” Us and fly them at Cosmo-Bethel Park. Not only is the park slightly off the beaten path of Columbia, it is also low-key enough to enjoy a quiet day of kite-flying. Take a chance to show your date how to properly hoist it in a flirty fashion from behind.
Skate over to Empire Roller Rink and enjoy watching a pickup game on Tuesdays. The rink, which opened in the 1950s, hosts low-cost games for amateur players looking to hit the puck around for good times' sake. Before leaving, challenge your partner to a few arcade games and sample the rinks’ concession stands.
Nothing screams love like Céline Dion’s “My Heart Will Go On” and you belting it at karaoke at Jake’s Bar & Grill or Peppers Nightclub. Singing is proven to release endorphins in your brain, which translate to happiness, less anxiety and more confidence. And nothing is sexier than confidence (and a full wallet).
If you are feeling frisky and your partner is the up-for-anything kind, visit The SoCo Club, Columbia’s premier gay cabaret. On Thursdays, SoCo hosts a drag queen show you cannot miss. For only $5, you can snag a seat at the show and also enjoy drink specials.
Teach your date how to play your favorite Sega video game or snag a few together at Slackers and place a sexy wager for the winner. Go head-to-head and set the stakes high for a naughty favor.
Tired of the winter bluster? Grab a few inexpensive sleds from the hardware store (Ace Hardware off of Business Loop) or Walmart and head to Stephens Lake Park for some slippery fun. Race down the hill, and all the extra adrenaline and endorphins will surely incite some racy action later. Then, grab the s’mores essentials: marshmallows, chocolate and graham crackers (all can be bought for less than $5) and warm them over your stove.
