Is Ice Skating Actually A Romantic Date?

In my head, I always think about ice skating as being pretty romantic. I guess it's because of popular culture, but going ice skating with a loved one, or even with friends and family always conjures up images of special Christmas holidays, relaxing and having fun, a crisp winter afternoon or evening, all wrapped up, with snow twinkling down, and that warm pre-Christmas Day buzz you tend to get. 

But in reality, it tends not to be like this. Don’t get me wrong, I quite like ice skating, and I’m not too bad either, but it’s never quite how I imagine it to be. Not least because it's usually raining.

When you think about it, you’re going to stand on a sharp blade, in uncomfortable boots, on a slippy surface. With dozens of people all around you. Maybe that’s how it should be advertised instead. Still though, it’s very popular over the Christmas period across the world. 

But is it a good place for a date? 

It always seems like it. A place to get cozy with someone you care about. Get close to them as you help each other around. Have a laugh doing something a little bit different.  

And yes, it is like this I suppose, but it’s just not quite as glamourous. For example:  

Given that it’s ice, it’s obviously very cold. When you’re all wrapped up and start skating around at a bit of speed, and with it being the season for colds and flu etc., I tend to find my nose will run. Before long, there’s snot streaming down my face. Attractive; 

Again, given that’s it’s cold and you’re all wrapped up in a big coat, scarf, gloves, hat etc. etc., it can get quite warm skating around. Quite moist. A touch...sweaty. Oh the sweat. Again, when you get home, very attractive; 

Then there are the blisters, from those “oh so comfy” boots, which always look they’ve been around for at least 10 years. Not nice. 

Still though, there is that lingering movie attraction of ice skating as being romantic. Holding hands as you skate around, before gliding smoothly into each other’s arms, catching each other before collapsing together, and if you're lucky on top of each other. 

Well, that’s not quite how it goes either. If you’ve ever tried holding someone’s hand whilst you skate, you’ll know that you rarely travel at the same speed as each other. The result is that it’s more like a game of tug. I’ll yank you forward, then you yank me forward a bit. And so on. 

And the skating into each other’s arms? Well, you can only skate one way around the rink, so this is pretty difficult too. But it’s probably for the best. I think I’d take getting dizzy going round and round the same way over colliding with each in a big heap of sharp blades on the floor.  

But if you do fall over? Well, look on the positive side. You’ve just created a funny moment that could become a fond, long lasting memory.