The "Let's Just Meet for Coffee Date"
This date is fast and cheap and is more of a meet-and-greet than an actual date. Meeting for coffee is a quick way to tell if there is chemistry between you and your date, and if not, just grab your cup to-go and say you're late for an appointment.
The "Let's Just Meet For Coffee Turned Into All-Day Date...Date"
You left your house to meet a date for coffee thinking you'd be back in an hour, tops. You never imagined you'd have so much to talk about, and that he would be so funny and smart, that you'd agree to go get lunch, followed by a walk and more talking, working up an appetite for dinner and drinks. This is how you get home twelve hours later wondering what the hell just happened.
The "I'm Trying To Forget My Ex Date"
This date usually comes after a bad break-up, and your friends, worried that you might be close to entering a domestic partnership with your dog or cat, harass you to "just get out there again" and assure you that "it will be good for you". Unfortunately, these types of dates usually involve you staring across the table, comparing everything about Mr. New Guy to your Ex, as you choke back tears, wondering what your ex is doing right now.
The "This Could be the One, I Can't Get Drunk Date"
You wear your best behavior hat on this date, and try as hard as you can to nurse your first glass of wine like the lady you are (or want your date to think you are) instead of throwing it back like a champ and ordering two more in lighting speed.
The "My Kitchen is Bare I Could Use a Free Meal Date"
While definitely not the most polite of all the dates, if you've been living on cup of noodles for a week it's quite difficult to say no when a date invites you out for dinner...whether you're interested in him or not. Sometimes the best part about a date is the food, not the company, but who knows, maybe by following your hunger and agreeing to go out on this date something more romantic will develop. If not, hopefully you took your leftovers home.
The "I Have Nothing Else To Do Tonight Date"
This date usually occurs on a weekend, when most of your friends have plans and you find yourself sitting at home alone, again, flipping channels on the TV and refreshing your Facebook newsfeed. Oh, look at how much fun everyone else in the world is having, yay. How many creepy crime drama re-runs can a woman watch before she's like, GET ME OUT OF THE HOUSE? At this point, you're so desperate for social interaction that you'll agree to a date with just about anyone, except if you sense they are giving off a creepy potential serial killer vibe, which you've basically become an expert at detecting, thanks TV!
The "Persistent Requester Date"
"Oh, I can't grab drinks tonight, I have to work late, sorry!"
"No, I didn't get your text about Friday night, I've already made plans."
"I'm not sure what I'm doing next weekend, I'll have a look at my calendar and get back to you."
"Sorry, I've been down with the flu, I'm so behind on life!"
"Dinner tonight won't work, I am meeting a friend at the gym."
"Okay, I'll meet you for coffee today at 4."
...and, scene.
The "I Don't Want To Waste My Good Hair Day Date"
You catch a glimpse of your reflection in the mirror and think "Damn! I look super hot today, I simply cannot waste this pretty on going home and doing laundry." So you set up a date, obviously! These dates, while seemingly superficial in nature, can actually turn out to be some of the best. When you're looking great and more importantly, feeling great about yourself, your confidence shines, and while your date probably won't notice a thing about your hair, he will think you're a total babe he wants to get to know better.
The "We've Never Met In Person Date"
Whether it's a first online date or a blind date set up by mutual friends, this type of date feels the most nerve-racking but is actually the most manageable if you remember The Golden Rule: No Expectations. No matter how many flirty emails you've sent back and forth, you truly do not know someone until you've spent time with them in person. Keeping your expectations to a minimum will prevent you from being disappointed when your date doesn't live up to their online persona (or photos...) OR absolutely shocked silly, pleasantly of course, when they do. Win, win.
The "I Just Really Like Him Date"
This is, by far, the best type of date in the Universe. You meet a man, sparks fly, and you can't wait to see him again. You just really, really like him and want to date him. What more of a reason do you need?