Heels and bowties are being traded in for sweatpants and T-shirts, among the college-dating scene. Instead of the traditional dinner and a movie, students are now staying in, watching movies and ordering delivery.
“I think what you see in Athens isn’t integrative to what you see in other places,” said Jillian Prusa, a second-year graduate student studying geography. “It’s kind of like the college bubble is there, and because the bar scene is such a big thing here people will go to the bar together and it might be a date, but you have to straight up be like ‘Is this a date or not?’”
Julia Miller, said she agrees and explains what she feels about the college bubble.
“I agree, I think that there is a college bubble,” said Miller, a junior studying psychology. “(It’s) also affected by the poor college kid reality. You might not go out and pay for a dinner and a movie but you might go out and play with puppies at Petland. So you might not get dressed up and go out and pay for something but you would go out and do something together and that kind of changes dating.”
College-style dating is exactly what students such as Meghan Malone choose to do with their other halves.
“I think that staying at home and (watching) Netflix could be a type of date, but for going out I think you would have to reserve the time and the money for it, and you’re not really able to do that on a college campus,” Malone said. “If I get to spend time with my boyfriend then I feel that that’s an accomplishment. We have to figure out what our schedule is like, and if we can get at least three hours to ourselves that’s great.”
College-style dating isn’t for everyone though; other students prefer to stick to the old fashion way when it comes to the dating scene.
“I would go with a dinner and a movie,” said Ben Vancouver, a junior studying political science. “It depends on the people and what they’re doing. Whether it comes back depends on the people and what they’re doing. A lot of the dating that happens now isn’t really dating, but if people are really looking to date, I think they’ll go with the more traditional dating.”
One of the places that attracts couples, is The Athena Cinema, 20 S. Court St.
“I’ve seen a few couples come in here,” said Corinne Barnhart, a junior studying applied nutrition and an employee at the Athena. “I would prefer to go out on a date personally. I feel like people who choose not to come in here don’t because there are a lot of other options in this general area.”
Dating will always be around; the scene will change but taking the time to get to know someone will always be part of the equation.
@annachristine38
ak8495111@ohiou.edu
