Baby Got Backpack

I saw your recent column about a hiking date, and I was wondering whether I'd seem cheap if I asked a woman on a hike for the first date. A buddy says it'd seem rude to a woman to not be wined and dined, and I'd come off as chintzy or poor. I'm neither, but hiking's fun, and I like the idea of not spending big on first dates (most of which are busts anyway).

--Mountain Man

On a first date, a woman should be getting to know you, not getting to know how much you can put on your MasterCard before the waiter comes over with a big pair of scissors. Sure, some women will find you cheap for suggesting a hike -- mainly those who resent having to trudge up hills to procure a funding source with a penis. However, even women who are into exercising aren't always into doing it where they may get close enough to a bear to see that it could use one of those little nose hair trimmers. For these women, you might offer "activity date" alternatives, like bowling or attending a street fair or a gallery opening. These might also work better for first dates with any women you barely know -- alluring as it is to hear, "Hi, I'm a total stranger, and I'd like to take you off to a dark, wooded area where there's no cellphone reception." (Your shallow grave or mine?)