menu_open Columnists
We use cookies to provide some features and experiences in QOSHE

More information  .  Close

Should You Go On Practice Dates?

65 0
07.06.2026

The Science of Mating

Take our Are You a Good First Date?

Find a therapist near me

A practice date is going on a date with someone you're not that into just to sharpen your dating skills.

Practice dates can help lessen the butterflies associated with real dates with those who made your cut.

Your dating skills could be very rusty jf you have been very selective and haven't gone on many dates.

Practice dates themselves could lead to some surprising results because you may be more relaxed and open.

In the TV series Ted Lasso, the titular character riffed off Allen Iverson's famous press conference rant when he fumed, "We're talking about practice. Not a game. Not the game. We're talking about practice." Lasso was actually trying to lasso his star player into understanding the importance of practice.

Well, when it comes to some social media influencers on TikTok and Instagram, they're talking about practice, too—in this case practice dates. Not a real date when you are already really into someone. Not "The Date" with someone in the running to be "The One." They're talking about going on dates with people whom you're not that into for the main purpose of getting dating practice. That's to sharpen your dating skills for the real dates that supposedly matter more. The question then is are you game for this practice of going out on dates simply for practice?

The Rationale Behind Practice Dates

Getting more practice could help you better overcome those butterflies that you face when you are really into someone. You know when you forget things like the ability speak........

© Psychology Today