Relationships...

So you’re a good-looking guy or girl. And you care about things like carbon footprints and global warming and slapping “Gas prices are my fault!” stickers on the back of a Yukon. Okay, maybe you don’t care THAT much, but you get the picture. But then you get asked out on a date. And the guy arrives to pick you up in a Yukon – sporting one of your bumper stickers. So do you send him right off to the Island of Bad Dates? (Located somewhere off the Continent of Awesome Carbs.) Or do you try to change him? Do you try to take a full-grown man (or woman…..just take everything I’m saying and add Manolos) and go to work on all the self-identity traits he has come to identify as his very soul and being?

Of course you do! Here are some tips to make your next date not only red-hot, but nicely green all over.

First of all, kick aside that car, go local, and walk. If you live in a city, this is easy. But some of you live in places where you can list cow-tipping as a high school pursuit. (I did and I have. Or observed it done, usually after a few cans of Schlitz.) So it is not so easy to leave the car behind since you have to drive 45 minutes to the nearest mall and/or TGI Friday’s. In that case, offer your date this helpful tip. Every 10 miles per hour you drive over 60 is like charging yourself an extra 54 cents per gallon of gas. Regardless of what kind of car you drive. Who knew?

Next, pick a green destination. Central Park, Runyon Canyon, Botanical Gardens of your city – all of these will put a little foliage into your excursion. Or you could find a local garden that takes volunteers and spend the afternoon working together. If you have a dog and are going to a park, bring the pooch and spend the time showcasing your awesomely paternal qualities. (Or if you’re not at all interested in impressing a girl, treat the dog with icy disdain. You might just get the same results.) And guys – trust me, if you take a girl to a flower garden on your first date, you will score major points. We like flowers. Growing them (locally and organically), seeing them, and most importantly, getting them. Gloria Steinem would agree. Trust me, I just called and asked her.

Now say you get a second date and you want to provide a romantic scene. Unplug and go candlelight over dinner. Turn off the music and instead entertain with conversation. If you play an instrument well (I cannot stress the “well” enough), sing away. Bring out the local, organic wine and enjoy!

So next time you’re in a quandary as to what to do on a date, try adding a little green.