You Think Modern Dating Is Complicated? Take a Look at Courtship in the 1960s
No phones. No apps. No endless scrolling through profiles. Just a nervous knock on the door, a borrowed car, and a curfew your date’s dad made sure you remembered. Dating in the 1960s was half shy, half electric, and it all happened face to face.
These photos capture that mix of innocence and anticipation: the diner dates, the dances, and all the unspoken tension in between. Tell us in the comments if your dating experience in the swinging sixties looked anything like this.
1. You Had To Flirt Face-to-Face
No hiding behind your phone in the 1960s! Does anyone else remember catching themself with the exact body language of this guy? What do you do with your hands?
2. Both Men and Women Embraced All the Frills
Today, girls in their sparkly prom dresses and guys in unbuttoned shirts don’t even have to break a sweat on the dance floor, but you might remember the bow ties, shawls, and elbow-length gloves that dominated formal wear in the ’60s.
3. You Had To Go Big or Go Home
Be honest: In the ’60s, you were totally judging your date based on how nice the restaurant was and how much effort they put into planning a good night, weren’t you?
4. Date Nights Included Quirky Spots
Take us back to the days when there was zero shame in experimenting with a place committed to a theme. Today’s daters would find that “cringe.”
5. Dressing to the Nines Was the Norm
Forget jeans and flip flops. Wearing something formal and uncomfortable was the name of the game.
6. Double Dates Could Cause Tension
Raise your hand if you think the girl in the yellow dress was irritated with her date. To be a fly on the wall when this photo was taken …
7. Emotions Were Worn on Sleeves
Everyone plays it so cool now (maybe because people hide behind the aura they build up on their social media profiles), but in the ’60s? Emotions were laid bare because you actually had to be a real, present person.
8. Every Date Was Commemorated With a Photo
Being on time for a dinner reservation was not as important as having a photo to document the occasion.
9. It Was Important To Leave a Good Impression
Champagne or wine for the table, wearing the nicest thing in our closet, making good conversation … dating in the ’60s was all about putting your best foot forward.
10. Road Tripping for a Date? Sure, Why Not
Who else loved a good travel date in the ’60s?
11. The Small Moments Mattered
If a photo booth was available on a date in the ’60s, there was a 100% chance couples were getting in and saying, “Cheese.” These days, selfies with Snapchat filters are so distracting that daters don’t even notice photo booths.
12. Couples Went to Every School Dance
It wasn’t just about prom or homecoming in the ’60s. If there was a dance, there was a date night.
13. But First, a Car Photo-Op
Did you even go on a date in the 1960s if you didn’t sit on the hood of the car first and pose for a picture?
14. Costume Parties Were a Perfect Date Night Idea
Everyone loved costume parties in the 1960s, and they were the perfect opportunity for a date night.
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