Disaster Date

Alexa Albrecht
Alpha Omicron Pi

Grab yo date, grab yo gear, the sorority functions are here! It’s the start of a new semester of functions and crazy Thursdays. Whether your date is your boyfriend, a set up or just a friend you can always have a good time... or can you?

Some ladies have great luck with random dates, and others not so much. There are always the classic stories – the date who went to the bathroom and never came back; the one on his phone constantly texting another girl; the one who drank too much; the one who was just too creepy. Gentlemen, when someone invites you to a function you should plan on being committed to having fun with that person the entire night. If you're not comfortable with it, you should respectfully make an excuse or just deal with it and make the best of the situation. It would be preferred to have a date that is fun and happy the entire night rather than being the jerk none of the girls want to have a good time with. You never know, the awkward girl you barely know could turn out to be the exciting one everyone is dancing around.

So for those of you gentleman wondering, “What do these girls want?!,“ here are a few suggestions of what not to do before, during or after a function.

Before:

If a girl asks you to a function and you make an excuse to not attend with her, don’t show up with one of her sisters. (You should be smarter than that.)

Don’t be the one to make the plans beforehand just to be with your friends, allow her to make the plans. If she is not sure of what she wants to do then you can recommend something.

During the pregame… or pre socializing with Capri Suns... don’t be that guy who doesn’t make it to the actual event. Have fun, have foggy memories, but plan to be well enough to attend the function with your date if she is wanting to go. After all, this is her event and you are her guest.

If there is dinner involved, offer to pay. If she truly insists on buying dinner for you then your're set, but the thought is what counts.

During:

Dance with your date – YOUR DATE. Don’t leave her to dance with someone else unless she ditched you… then that’s her problem.

If she is not comfortable with your dancing or your attempt for a dance floor kiss, then refrain.

If your date is the one who is crazier than you are, be sure that she is okay.  You have to make that bus to get back!

After:

Make sure she has a ride home, don’t leave her with a pledge’s number and wander off assuming she will get home okay. After all, we do have SAFE ride.

Don’t leave from the function with another girl.

If you take her home, be a gentleman and walk her to her door.  Yes we're a different generation, but manners are timeless.

By being a gentleman at these events you're not only helping her out, but you're also representing yourself and your fraternity in a positive way. If you are truly a horrible date, ladies love to talk about it. Therefore, plan to stay home on function Thursdays because nobody wants to go with “that guy.”

Alexa is a sophomore studying public relations and advertising. You may contact her at aalbrech@uark.edu.