Grabbing a coffee to chat over may seem a bit too chummy and casual for a first date, but that is part of the beauty of it: It’s a low-risk date that takes some of the pressure off. “It completely flips people’s perceptions of a first date. So we don’t have a mental framework that creates expectations and nerves. A new context means you can redefine what a date is compared to previous expectations,” says relationship trainer Rob McPhillips. “Also, there’s little pressure of it leading to anything sexual if you’re not ready.” Coffee dates are especially popular among women who have children or are dating after divorce. A 2019 study found that many divorced women—30 percent, to be exact—opt for a quick coffee date, with 80 percent of women with children saying it’s because “they are interested in quick, efficient ways to meet, greet, assess, and exit, something easily accomplished over a cup of coffee.“ae0fcc31ae342fd3a1346ebb1f342fcb RELATED: For more up-to-date information, sign up for our daily newsletter. “First dates post-divorce can be quite difficult, and therefore easing the burden with a non-threatening experience can be imperative,” says author and clinical psychologist Tricia Wolanin, PsyD. “A classic coffee date is always recommended, as it’s short, sweet, but could be extended if it looks promising.” To see when most women begin dating after a legal split, check out This Is When You’ll Be Ready to Date Post-Divorce, Research Shows.
