Pick-A-Dates (Updated on Nov. 28)

Photo from Flickr, by Striatic

Oh, Pick-A-Dates. They're the source of much excitement and Taylor activity on weekends. Just in case you don't know what they are, allow me to explain.

Pick-A-Dates are Taylor's particular brand of finding something to do in this town in the middle of a cornfield. A wing will typically put on one or two Pick-A-Dates per semester, and each one is different. Usually, you pick your own date of the opposite gender, someone you might not know well but would enjoy getting to know better, but sometimes there are other criteria involved (I heard a wing once did a Pick-A-Nate, so they could only ask someone with that name). Activities for Pick-A-Dates include bowling, skating, rock climbing, Broomball, and just about anything else that a large group can do together inexpensively. They're a handy way of combating boredom while meeting new people in a fun, no-pressure atmosphere.

Advice for the Pick-A-Date shy:

• Don't take them too seriously. They're meant to be fun ways to get to know more people, nothing more.
• If you don't know your date and you're worried about making conversation, bring a list of wacky questions to ask, like this one: "If you could be any kitchen appliance, what would you be and why?"
• If you don't want to pick your own date, ask your friends or your PA to pick one for you. That's the way it was done back in the day, and it's something that can easily be reinstated.

Really, just don't worry about it too much. If your wing has a Pick-A-Date, go! If you're asked on one, go! Even if you don't have the best time on one, try again. Trust me, you'll be glad you went.