Research shows: on the first date you should go to the amusement park

Forget the cinema, dining out, or having a drink somewhere. No, on the next first date you should go to the amusement park. What? Yes, research really says so. Now, I'm not really a proponent of going to the movies on a first date (because: no talking, super awkward) or dining out (because: just ordered a three-course dinner, if there's no click, super awkward) and having drinks can also go all sorts of ways (because: drank too much or just too little, super awkward), so this sounds like music to my ears.

My personal favorite in terms of amusement parks is Disneyland, but a trip back and forth to Paris doesn't seem wise as a first date either. So just stick to Walibi, Duinrell, or the Efteling. And the first one is the most suitable, because that's where you'll find the most roller coasters. And yes, those roller coasters are the key, if we are to believe the scientists.

It turns out that when you're on a thrilling ride (it could also be the haunted house or a Ferris wheel – whatever makes your hair stand on end) you produce hormones that give you an euphoric feeling. These are the same hormones you produce when you feel head over heels in love. This hormone is called Phenylethylamine, and your body releases it abundantly when you're in love and thus when you're in thrilling situations.

Well, that sounds great, right? Just invite your crush for a day of roller coasters and you have him/her in the bag. True, but not forever. Scientists say the following about it: ‘The release of the hormone would mimic the effect of love. The only problem is that it is short-lived and fades away very quickly.’ Okay, so you could take a yearly subscription together to relive that effect as often as possible or trust that your date will definitely stay in love with you after this exciting first date because you're just really nice. I would definitely trust the latter, because we are nice, right? Exactly. Sometimes you just need Mother Nature to give that little push in the form of hormones.

Also handy: do you want to convince someone, for whatever reason, that you're in love with them? Meet in a dark room. This way, you get wider pupils, which you also get when you look at someone you're in love with. Aha, now a lot of nighttime romances suddenly make sense to me. Everyone just thought it was about real love back then.