Randi Martin, wtop.com
WASHINGTON – Whether users seek a visit to the Crepe Cart at Eastern Market or see the pandas at National Zoo, a dating site wants singles to get creative.
How About We is an active way for daters to connect with people who share their interests.
Co-founders Aaron Schildkrout and Brian Schechter wanted to get users off websites and on actual, real life dates. For this reason, they don’t use traditional profiles.
“People are able to say what they want to do and quickly connect with people that like the same kinds of things, to see if there’s a spark,” says Schechter.
Users post suggested dates using the line “How about we…” and fill in the blanks with their personalized and creative date ideas.
For example, one user said “How about we … see who’s better at paintball.”
Schechter, a former District resident, says D.C. is one of the best markets for How About We because there is so much to do. Online suggestions for the area include the National Mall, monuments, U street, H Street and area music venues.
Schechter says he’s also seen active suggestions, such as volunteering at a soup kitchen or community cleanups and going running and kayaking.
How About We encourages creativity but helps those who need extra coaching by in a “Date Ideas” section on their website.
Schechter suggests: “How about we play best out of three at Comet Ping Pong? Best out of three picks the pizza toppings.”
Launched in the D.C. market in the summer of 2011, How About We says a couple from Annapolis met on the site and married in January.
Their first date started with the suggestion: “How about we go jet-skiing then have dinner and wine at The Chop House?”
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(Copyright 2012 by WTOP. All Rights Reserved.)