8 Dates in Stark County
Something to eat, something to do and some other important things too
Start here: Do you love yourself?
Before stepping into the dating world, it's important to ask yourself: Do you love and respect yourself? Never hesitate to talk to a counselor if you need a boost in confidence, help in building healthy habits, or guidance in recognizing good and bad social situations. Everyone has things they can improve on; what matters is that we strive to get better. It is difficult nowadays to know a family that isn't dysfunctional in some way. It is your responsibility to make sure that same dysfunction or another one doesn't continue.
Understanding healthy boundaries is crucial—knowing what's unhealthy is even more important. Unfortunately, there's not enough education on identifying narcissism and understanding good and bad boundaries. Loving yourself is essential, but there are limits. Often, issues with in-laws, resentment, and favoritism in families stem from people giving or taking too much. Differences in wealth and class can also complicate relationships. It's ideal for both you and your date to be educated on what's right and wrong and how to identify these things.
Remember, you can't expect perfection on a date, or you'll never find your person. Love is a journey. Everyone has imperfections, and so do you. It's concerning how many people rely solely on dating apps and judge based on image and profile. While it’s efficient, it can feel like shopping for a product. Both men and women shouldn't be objectified like that. Dating apps can help narrow down what you value, but it would be better if they matched personal values first before revealing photos. This way, you focus on what's truly important like your passions matching theirs in a way that works. Not all passions need to be exact matches, they just need to compliment each other.
The key takeaway is this: No matter what stage of life you're in, take some time to educate yourself on what makes a relationship healthy or unhealthy. Research common issues for dating or married couples. This way, you'll be better prepared to handle future challenges.
The 8 Date Ideas
Canton First Friday
Lincoln Theater & Bender's Massillon
The Palace Theater and Basil Asian Bistro
Breakfast at Athen's & Walk at Stadium Park
Pick up food at Waco Market & Fry Family Park Picnic
Breakfast at Meldrum's & Walk at Sippo Lake Park
Smitty's Steak & Massillon Art Museum
Canton Art Museum & Desert Inn
Massillon Last Saturday
Topics to discuss on a date
What are you passionate about, what is something productive that you want to do with your time?
Tell me about your family, what's good and whats bad. What do you think the future holds for the family?
Tell me your career goals.
Where did you grow up, is that area important to you?
Are you/have you faced any health issues or limitations in life?
Habits: Are you spontaneous or routine, are you adventurous or enjoy the comfort zone?
Health habits: What are your health goals and routine?
What are your religious views if any and how do you lean politically? This is a tough topic because it can be destructive, just be respectful as best as you can.
Do you have a financial education? Not your major but are you informed enough to make smart decisions for your financial future no matter the salary? It's not the end of the world if someone doesn't know how to prepare, it can be something to work on.
How do you feel about *insert major all over the news topic* what do you think the solution is?
Who is your closest friend and how long have you known each other? How did you meet?
How do you feel about intimacy? How much is too much and what do you think is not enough?
What are your top three favorite movies?
What are your top three favorite songs/music artists?
What TV is worth the hype to you?
How do you feel about offspring or adopting?
How do you feel about pets?
Reinforce your knowledge of right and wrong
Knowing the Wrong Answers
What’s more important than asking the right questions is recognizing the wrong answers. A date doesn’t have to end because of a wrong answer; it’s something you can revisit later. For instance, if you’re in your 20s and someone says, “I’m not interested in traveling,” but you love traveling, they might be more open to certain types of travel than they realize. Like a couple who goes to the beach every year—the husband might not enjoy it because he values different things than his wife. Finding ways to compromise is key, and together you can discover what makes both of you happy.
Relationships are like a game of tug-of-war; both people pull to get their way, but you don’t want to drag someone behind you if you're the only one pulling. So, give each other some slack and know when enough is enough. Setting respectful boundaries with anyone, is one of life’s hardest lessons.