ChatGPT: Here are some affordable indoor date (unker: yes I prompted indoors, outdoors only work if the weather is not hot, or if I can get away with wearing almost nothing, or you know, in a four season country) ideas in the Klang Valley area, all below MYR 100:

1. Have a movie night at home

unker: Mayyyyybe third date, but certainly not first! Also ChatGPT, you're way too loose as a woman if your first suggestion is Netflix & Chill!

2. Plan a DIY spa day: Create a spa-like ambiance at home with scented candles, relaxing music, and aromatic oils. Take turns giving each other massages, facial treatments, or foot soaks.

unker: This works if you live alone, but also scary if you do live alone.. and I will NOT let a man give me facial treatments (unless..)!!

3. Cook a romantic dinner together: Instead of going out, prepare a delicious meal together at home. Choose a recipe you both love and enjoy the process of cooking and sharing a homemade dinner.

unker: Actually this doesn't sound too bad! And also can observe working styles. Are you the clean-as-you-go type of person or the leave-the-mess-for-later type?

4. Have a themed game night: Pick a theme for your game night, whether it's classic board games, card games, or even video games. Prepare some snacks and beverages, and have fun competing or cooperating in various games.

unker: For the introvert, it's nice to have something else to focus on while spending time together so yeah this sounds great too, but why all also have to be in someone's house eh. Well actually can just go to a board game cafe. Recently found one near Sunway, where you just buy one drink and you can play all their games, no time limit!

5. Explore a local bookstore or library: Spend a cozy afternoon browsing through books together at a local bookstore or library. Share recommendations, read excerpts, or pick a book to read together.

unker: This actually sounds good too! Libraries especially (totally not because of AC). A book to read together? Bro that's actually pretty romantic suggestion. Okay A+ for this one ChatGPT.

6. Take a scenic walk in a park: Visit a nearby park or botanical garden and take a leisurely stroll together. Enjoy the fresh air, beautiful surroundings, and the chance to have meaningful conversations.

unker: Eh this one not indoors also. But evening walks in a dog park, that I can get into!

7. Have a picnic indoors: Create an indoor picnic by spreading a blanket on the floor and packing a basket with your favorite snacks, sandwiches, and fruits. Enjoy a cozy picnic right in your living room.

unker: Is it still special if that's already what I do on my own? I actually like sitting on floors at home, so I mean, I have the upperhand if anything, ha!

8. Plan a DIY craft or art session: Get creative together by working on a DIY craft project or painting. You can find affordable art supplies at local craft stores or repurpose items you already have at home.

unker: Easy to prepare and fun. Don't have to do this at your own home either, can find a pondok or a park or something even!

9. Attend a local community event: Keep an eye out for free or low-cost community events happening in your area, such as art exhibitions, cultural festivals, or live music performances.

unker: Screw dates, I wanna do this with friends too!

10. Have a karaoke night: Sing your hearts out with a fun karaoke session at home. Use a karaoke app or find karaoke videos on YouTube and enjoy a night of laughter and music.

unker: Uhh.. I can see this working if we are both musically inclined, and one of us plays a musical instrument and we play that instead.

5/10 for me, that's not too shabby actually!

My order from favourite to least favourite:

1. Library Date
2. Cook romantic dinner together (I make a mean mushroom soup, lasagna and brownies, toot toot!)
3. Evening walks in a dog park
4. Themed Game Nights
5. Local community events

The other 5: meh.

ChatGPT aside, the standard dinner dates + gelato isn't too bad for unker either although it can get stale sometimes. I still prefer first dates in public or where we don't need to take the same car (for safety purposes) though.

What's your usual go to casual date ideas with the least advanced planning needed (like needing to get art supplies first, although I suppose that can also be a part of the date too!), if any?

Okay lemme preface this by saying unker hyatt is also not the best at this. I'm in my early 30s (F), I'm not that great at small talk, I don't have fire one line starters (please share if you do, PLEASE), and I'm also really bad at returning texts, but when I am present, I am present, so take what I write here with a pinch of salt; it's mostly anecdotal but if anyone can relate, please validate my experience T.T

1. The handsome offshore engineer or pilot from foreign country type
   These have got to be bots, right? I've never stuck around to find out, but they often have very short bios and have horrible English despite coming from majority English-speaking countries.

2. The level 40++ wizard type
   Personally, I think I prefer having someone that has some relationship experience at my age. I don't think I have the energy to deal with the training wheels all over again and to be honest, I feel like men who's lived alone all this while would find it hard to have their routine, space and privacy disturbed. They've probably also settled in taking care of themselves that mentally it might not occur to them to extend the same care to their special other, especially after when the honeymoon period ends. Either that or they put you on a pedestal on the account of being ✨ female ✨, which in itself is very very uncomfortable. Please touch some grass.. These types are also more likely to mansplain stuff to you, and somehow have developed very rigid ideas relating to "man vs women" type of stuff that often comes off very misogynistic, which makes me no longer wonder why they are still single at their age..

3. The dry talking type
   Why. Like why would you not ask me some things as well? And why are you just answering questions with a yes and a no without elaboration? Why are you even on apps if you chat this way? Do you regret matching with me? Like what is it??

4. The over eager type
   I'm not sure if this is gender specific, but I have a feeling it could have stemmed from just being jaded using these apps over time. I've had some chats where they just straight up ask to meet up from like the first or second chat. As an introvert I would hate to meet up with someone I haven't made sure we at least have something in common yet. Is it just me? I think it's super aggressive, or worse, it could be a MLM meeting!

5. The no respect for privacy type
   "Can I have your number? What company do you work for? Where do you live?" Bro...

6. The want to hampsap but don't dare to hamsap all the way type
   "Wow, your dress is so gorgeous.. hugs you in all the right places.. especially your.. 😋"

7. The terus hamsap all the way type
   "Greetings, here is my dick."

8. The condescending type
   "Aren't you flattered?" Uh, no. Bad way to start any sort of relationship when you make the other party feel like you threw them a bone.

9. The time traveler's wife type
   This one I am guilty of. Sure no one is "bad" at texting, but I'm really bad at checking my dating apps when there isn't any exciting chatter. I am also busy, but honestly I'm not even sure I would even if I wasn't. I've also had really nice chats where the guy replies like, in two days or more. That coupled with my own shitty tendencies pretty much sealed the fate of whatever potential that date could have I guess :/ When he does reply, I try my best to chat as much as I can because I don't know when is the next time we could again as soon as he disappears 😂

10. The bio don't match experience type
    I'm not that great at small talk (in fact I hate it with a vengeance..) so I often start with information gleaned from their profile. Kinda weird sometimes when I refer to their job or something they said they enjoy doing and getting a "huh?". I'm still not quite sure what to make of it...

So yup, that's mostly my experience on dating apps so far. I've since taken a break from dating apps and choosing to take it easy instead. I dunno, it feels shallow and empty, and starting to feel like a chore at times.. and I'm not even doing it often, lol. I've met guys irl that I would have loved to date which I might not have swiped on from an app, and vice versa. I think meeting people in an organic setting feels more authentic, with or without romantic expectations. Just making friends, and just friends, feels way more satisfying tbh which was what I have been doing on the sub so far.

Now that we're on a new platform.. well I guess we'll see if I can make some here too :)

Hey guys, still trying my hand at this lemmy thing, heh. Bare with me as I set things up.

I'd love to provide a space for Malaysians to discuss about relationships, dating and more starting from here. Banner and icons to follow soon! Meanwhile, if you have any suggestions, I'm all ears. See you guys around :)

Anyone care to share what are your experiences? Do you think it's the same for all genders?