I think dating depended on where you were and what stage in life you are... when you are young and no cash, then you can have a good time just hanging out with someone... park, drive, or whatever.. When you are working then it's a little more complicated to meet people that you like cuz your free time becomes more precious so you don't want to waste it on a lame date... but now, it seems it's about what they can get from you.. especially in Japan - but it could be this way all over the globe... I used to take girls camping... go to a market pick up food and then pitch a tent and build a fire and cook the food. have a couple of drinks and enjoyed the time... in the morning have a dip by the waterfall so it felt like a shower, cook some breakfast once the fire was re-built and stroll through the forest... it was nice, unique to some and nobody around usually...
IMO people spend too much time behind some device.. phone, tablet, PC... as I sit here typing this
but you can play cards (which most people don't even know how to do anymore) listen to an album, or go to antique shops, or browse flee markets... you don't have to buy anything or you can and it becomes a memory of the time you spend together. I think it comes to Imagination... when you were a kid, did you have a way to entertain yourself with electronics, or did you have to go outside and learn to invent ways to entertain yourself ? I think this is a big part of being able to come up with ideas for dates.
Many have been stated here already, but depending on the person... go with the flow... Recently I met a female, we chatted on LINE, then boom, she is gone... I don't think I said anything out of the ordinary, but who knows... Patience is growing thinner and thinner... as
@DanniCake says, why date if you have more fun with friends... there's a lot to be said for that..
This whole SB / SD thing seems topsie turvy to me as well... I think SB should include intimate time, but many potential SB don't seem to think this... hmmmm well, that's about all I can say...
If I really want to date myself... going to the roller-rink was one date option with disco playing loud...