David Swanson — The Link (B.C. Institute of Technology)

Zack and Kelly on their way to "The Max" for a burger

BURNABY, B.C. — Dinner and a movie: The cliché first date ritual. It’s been romanticized by your favorite after school special and very well might be the go to move in your courtship playbook.

I know Save by the Bell’s clean-cut, California rebel, Zack Morris, always brought cheer squad captain Kelly Kapowski to “The Max,” for a burger before they took in a flick at their local single-screen, 10-person cinema.  But is the dinner-and-a movie combo actually a good first date activity?

The whole point of a first date is to get to know someone better. You want to find out if you’re compatible. Do you both like Mongolian BBQ and hiking in the BC backwoods? Do you find her awkward mannerism endearing or does the way she play with her hair remind you of your annoying little sister? Does he speak passionately about his convictions or does he dominate your conversations, preventing you from expressing your opinion?

How do you expect to discover any of these important details if your first date is spent sitting in a loud theater, not talking to, or for that matter, looking at each other. This hardly seems like a good strategy for uncovering the finer points of your potential mate’s personality.

Hitting a restaurant for bite either before or after witnessing the resolution of a formulaic Romantic Comedy conflict, while a slight improvement, only raises the level of interpersonal engagement to a minimally acceptable level.

You sit across from one another (often at a table that is too long, creating an uncomfortable physical divide) and regurgitate interview-like date questions that you use as a conversational crutch to stave off any awkward silences.

After dinner finally arrives, you find yourself constantly thinking “ I didn’t know there was gonna be so much parsley in my rice,” and spend the rest of meal wondering if you have a piece of herb in your teeth, covering your mouth as you talk, and planning your escape to the bathroom to inspect your pearly whites.

Solution: Your first date activity should be some activity that builds a connection or at the very least, exposes any chemistry that might warrant a second date. Hit the bar and play a game of pool. Crack a bottle of red on the beach and have a conversation.  Not a drinker? Toss the Frisbee around at Stanley Park or check out the new exhibit at the art gallery.

Save the cinema for a later date when you actually know your date a little better. Not to mention, it’s a lot easier to get away with the old fake- yawn-and-put-your-arm-around-her routine when she can actually hear you explain how your moves are usually better.