7 tips for “double-booking” two dates in one day
One of the hardest things about dating is find the time to actually meet up with all the promising people you swiped on. Which is why we’d like to suggest that you should start “double-booking” dates — as in, going out with more than one person in the same day (or night). Hear us out: It’s a valid (if risky) way to meet as many people as possible while having times for your actual friends, your cycling class, and quality alone time with a bowl of popcorn and Scandal reruns.
Some people might find it rude to double-book, but it’s actually just being realistic about your needs and your chances of actually enjoying the company of that person you met on Tinder for longer than just a hours. If you know how to double-book, you can be true to yourself and not let anyone down.
Double-booking is not for the faint of heart.
You have to schedule like a pro, learn how to cut things off fast, and keep your story straight, lest you end up like Charlotte in that Sex and the City episode. (She tells one dude she’s sick and he ends up bringing her soup later while she’s making out with Date #2. Don’t be that person.)
But times have changed! The SATC squad didn’t have dating apps! It’s 2017, and the world could end at anytime. You might as well meet as many people as you can while you can. Here’s how:
1Give yourself enough time.
If you have it in you, go right ahead and schedule happy hour drinks with one date and then a late dinner with the other person, but know your limits. Double-booking may work better on a weekend or day you both have totally off from work. Then you can do a day date thing with one person and even have time to run home and change before it’s time to meet Contestant #2.
2Have a plan.
You’re going to need to eventually cut the first date off in order to get to the second date. The best way to do this is to be upfront when you schedule date number one: Tell them from the beginning that you have to be out of there at a certain time. Do not feign sickness or pretend your cat just died and you have to rush to the vet (unless that works for you, of course, but this isn’t a sitcom — lying to people will likely end badly).
3Don’t brag about it.
Some people are touchy about double-booking, so you don’t want to exactly lead with that as you’re looking over the menu. You don’t have to lie about your plans after the date, but you also don’t have to share them.
4Or do share your plans.
There is another school of thought if you really want to keep things super real. When you schedule a date, tell them that you already (or will likely) have another place to be that day, so time is of the essence. If you go this route, you should do it before you meet up with up with them, so they have the chance to decide if a super efficient and honest person is the kind they want to be dating in the first place.
5Don’t get drunk on the first date.
It’s annoying that so many dates revolve around alcohol, especially since it makes double-booking a little tough. Do not show up to a date already loaded with margaritas before you sit down to a movie with date number two (or three).
6Change locations.
Um, this should be obvious, but do not set up drinks dates with two people at different times at the same bar, or decide that bowling or something is the simplest way to go for these two first dates. If you want speed dating, there are ways to go about that. Double-booking at the same location runs the risk of someone showing up early (or sticking around later than they should) and catching you in your little white lie about going to meet your BFF from out of town. CRINGE.
7Don’t be a jerk.
Whatever you do, as in life, don’t be a jerk. If your feelings would be hurt knowing that someone double-booked on YOU, then don’t double-book on them, or lie or try to pull some sitcom-level stunt to fit in seventeen dates in one Saturday afternoon. Treat others as you want to be treated, right?
