A good date

What constitutes a good date?
connection, chemistry, conversation, respect & laughter? Surprises?
Media, especially books and television have defined over and over again what it means to have a good date. Off course, there are discrepancies there, but honestly, I think that most of our ideas of what a good date would be, comes from a media perspective.
Therefore, it is no wonder that those who watch Lipstick Jungle will dream of a night in Paris, or even a whirlwind romance that takes place in two time zones. Those who watch Friends, or just any chick flick movie would want to have the drama and sweetness involved in getting the perfect date. Dine in Paris, shop in Rome, and spend the night at the Ritz. Did I miss something? Or maybe even include a trip to the Bahamas, or just as simple as a dinner on the rooftop with flowers and some slow music playing...make that a live band.
Frankly, all this looks good on TV and sounds even better when you read it. While I could wonderfully omit the drama that goes with getting to the first,second and third date, I would really like to be flown to Paris for a shopping spree....although I would be satisfied with a trip to the Manhattan Mall.
All in all...the idea of a good date is very much in tatters because we have mixed the media with our personal preferences. In the process, we end being disappointed by dates we go to. Coffee sounds nice, but I am sure there are girls who would prefer dinner at the Arpege, especially if he is paying....well in that case, I would want to end up in Dubai at the Pierchic-less expensive and the scenery is breathtaking.
okay scratch all that. A good date. Well true to my friend's insights, a good date would constitute a level of comfortableness, understanding, good conversation, off laughter and respect. Surprises might be hindering if not carefully planned.
okay so here is what, in my personal opinion, would constitute a good date.
picnic at the park, somewhere quiet and peaceful, by a stream. food either I cooked, or he picked up somewhere(at this early stage, I do not trust a man to cook for me-unless he is a chef)Spend the day talking, playing football might be nice. Napping under the shade of a tree. Conversation that is pleasant, and intellectual.
that sounds simplistic, but there are things that we want to do, whether it is walking across the Brooklyn bridge, a day at the park, a walk around town...or the beach...simple simple things, but listening to someone's wish, simple as it might be, and fulfilling that wish would be a good date. An amazing date even.