Going on a date gives one a lot of feelings. There can be feelings of excitement, nervousness, and a lot of butterflies. But most of us have been able to ease out those feelings with some liquid courage, a.k.a. alcohol.
Sure, a pint of beer or a peg or two can definitely calm those first-date jitters, but hey, there isn't a rulebook that says that drinking on dates is the key, right? In fact, many modern daters do not want alcohol to help them get through a date. Many people from the Gen-Z and millennial generations are embracing mindful drinking, which has given rise to a whole new dating term called "dry dating."
This term was coined in the year 2022, when this trend was the most popular. When people started to go out on physical dates after the COVID-19 pandemic, they really started to reassess their health. Individuals who are also looking to build a strong emotional connection with their partner before engaging in physical intimacy are choosing to not drink alcohol so that they can be true to themselves.
Bumble, a dating app, recently conducted a nationwide survey and discovered that being soberly conscious is something that Indians also prefer. As per the research, "1 in 4 single Indians (24%) who consume alcohol say they will not drink alcohol on dates in 2023. The majority (56%) of people want to get to know the other person with a clear mind, which is the top reason for not drinking on a date. 45% of respondents who consume alcohol are choosing not to drink alcohol on dates because they¡¯re trying to improve their health & well-being by reducing alcohol consumption."
"According to the new study, almost 1 in 2 (47%) Millennials who were surveyed admit they turn to alcohol on a date to settle their nerves, whereas almost 1 in 3 (31%) GenZ respondents who consume alcohol admit they choose to drink alcohol on a date to give their date company."
For people who still haven't dipped their toes in this water, navigating this route may seem tricky but surely has a lot of benefits. "Since the pandemic, we have seen a rise in "sober curiosity" and more people opting for alcohol-free dry dates. Dating while sober may feel more difficult for some, but nothing feels more empowering than living a life true to your needs," says Samarpita Samaddar, India Communications Director, Bumble.
For anyone who knows this term, "hangxiety" is when you get a rush of fear or dread about the things you did or said the previous night after being under the influence of alcohol. Basically, it's when you try to replay all the conversations and all the things you should not have said just because you were a little tipsy. Honestly, when you are on a first date, you really want it to be perfect, and when alcohol sort of takes that away, it can be mortifying the next day. Also, a lot of regrets can arise.
Yes, alcohol may cloud the thinking process, and sure, it may make things much more fun, but for people who are actually looking for something serious, this can be a godsend. You can talk about feelings, values, and deeper emotions that matter. You can know about the person in a way that will deepen the bond.
Now that drinking is out of the question on a date, there is a lot of room for creative date ideas that do not involve a pub or a club. You can actually give day dates a shot and probably go to parks and museums and just take a stroll. Other than that, there can be room for food walks if both people are especially adventurous. Imagine all the things you may learn about your date.
Even though dry dating is a great idea, it is definitely a personal choice. While you may not be an alcohol drinker or may not want booze on that particular date, that may differ for the other person. However, that should not be awkward or a deal-breaker for either party. Bumble¡¯s relationship expert, Shahzeen Shivdasani, shares ideas to help you go on sober, dry dates:
This is pretty self-explanatory. There are two types of people: coffee lovers and tea lovers, and thankfully for both groups, a decent cafe serves both beverages. Why not try that and have absolutely no guilt about having a hangover or getting tipsy?
There is nothing like immersing yourself in cultural activities. Fortunately, there are numerous options available today that can pique the interest of any type of person. If you both are into art, then try going to a play nearby. If you like music, then why not try a gig happening nearby? If laughing is what you think works, then a comedy show will be pretty great. You can bond over your favourite artists or authors and get to know more about your date!
Early in the dating game, it is nice to see a little competitive spirit. A run in the park, yoga, or someone who out-cycles will get you into that competition mode and will help you know your date in a fun manner.
In general, the younger generation is already understanding the several advantages of drinking less or not drinking at all to embrace the clarity and focus on meaningful connections that come with sober dating. A 2018 report from Berenberg Research found that Gen Z was drinking 20% less alcohol per capita than millennials at their age.
So, alcohol or not, having fun while you date is the key to being fully comfortable.