11 Ways to Make a Scoop Shop Date the Best First Date Ever

August 18, 2016

Peanut butter and chocolate. Chocolate and cherries. Coffee and fudge. Milk and cookies. As professional flavor-pairers, we’d like to think we’ve got this matchmaking thing down to a science. But when it comes to a real romance, sometimes you’ve got to think outside the pint.

Enter the Scoop Shop, where two spoons (and a little imagination) are all you need to sweeten up your romance. Here’s your guide to the perfect Scoop Shop first date:

Hold The Door

We’re talking to the ladies AND the gents, here. Don’t get us wrong, this has nothing to do with chivalry, and everything to do with maximizing the intoxicating smell of freshly baked waffle cones for your date. Think about it: the door opens outward, which means a fresh blast of waffle for whoever’s first in. Heady stuff.

Take a Deep Breath

Test your lung capacity on this one, and really dial in on that vanilla. Can you smell it? We’re not making this up: vanilla is a natural aphrodisiac, and—ahem—we happen to have an award-winning vanilla. We like to think “waffle cone” is runner up, but we haven’t found that research yet. So let the scents to the talking, at least for the first 10 seconds.

Read the Flavors Out Loud: It’s a Test

Fancy yourself an investigator? Knowing that shared values go a long way for relationship success, you can use our flavor strips as a clever game. Subtly deduce your date’s political leanings (oh, hey, Empower Mint!) or pop-culture preferences (Phish Food? The Tonight Dough?). There's much to be learned!

Be Super Polite When Ordering

Let’s be honest: we all look at how our date treats the waitstaff and know that has a deeper meaning—they’re revealing either the softie inside or the person you want to go running from as fast as you possibly can. Think of this as your opportunity to show off your good manners (you’re welcome). Also, we have a theory that happier Scoopers make tastier cones. Are we right?

Order a Smoothie or a Shake

Something magical (and quite seductive) happens when you sip ice cream through a straw: your lips pucker, your cheekbones gain instant definition and your eyelashes are at the perfect angle for batting. Go on: make the most of it.

Get Something to Share

One sundae + two spoons = happiness—or, wait. Better make that a Mini-Vermonster. With four scoops of ice cream, a brownie, a chocolate-chip cookie, banana, hot fudge and whipped cream (plus four more toppings), there’s plenty of deliciousness to go around. When you’re truly having fun, you might let loose a bit and revel in your indulgence together. Plus that means all of the romance — and none of the bickering over who gets the last bite.

Be the One to Grab the Napkins

You never know when a bit of ice cream might go awry; be the hero with the napkins at the ready. But even better, make a napkin sketch of the things you love best in life. It’s a great conversation starter. 

The People Watching Can’t Be Beat

It’s hard to be grumpy when you’re surrounded by cows, clouds, and ice cream — try us on that one. Which is why Ben & Jerry’s Scoop Shops are great for the Greatest Date Game of All Time: people watching. Settle in and enjoy the happy vibes, snickers, made-up stories and most epic guessing games ever.

Give a Lick (And Take a Poll)

Conversation gets slow? It helps to have a ready diversion. Do you lick your cone counter-clockwise? Clockwise? From bottom to top? Some other wacky way? If you’ve never thought about it before, chances are your date hasn’t either. Tuck this one in your back pocket to pull out if there’s a lull. Or no people to watch.

Get All Matchy-Matchy

So you’re one date in and you’ve got the feeling this one’s for good? The real deal? The home run? You’d better grab some swag to commemorate this day, like matching t-shirts to pull out on your 10^th anniversary, or trucker caps to wear on your honeymoon. That kind of stuff.

Grab a Pint for the Road

Take it from us: You never know when you might need a pint (and two spoons) in your freezer for an impromptu evening in. Be prepared.