In dating, context is everything. If the guy in a cowboy hat at a honky tonk bar seems charming when you're in a party mood, he might seem more like a creep the next morning when you're nursing your hangover with a Diet Coke. What's true about social contexts is also true about physical settings: The dating venue can dramatically influence how people behave and what they get out of the experience. That doesn't mean every dating rule is universal—some locales may be too difficult or costly to get to—but most coffee shops are set up to facilitate intimate conversation, which is just what you want on a date. And most importantly you can stay for 30 minutes or 3 hours and exiting the date at either point doesn't seem awkward or forced. "Coffee shops are cozy and casual, which is perfect for dating," says dating coach Esther Boykin, author of The Date Deck dating app . "The hookup culture may lead us to think that dating is OK in just any setting, but it's always good to set the right context." Here are some other reasons why coffee shops make for great dating venues: It's cheap. Meeting up at a coffee shop requires little cash, while many dinner dates can get expensive fast. It's easy to leave if you want—and the guy won't feel rejected. If you're not having fun at your date, simply make an excuse about how you need to go soon—no awkward explanations necessary. And if he's the one making you miserable, you can leave without feeling bad about it since there are no expectations that dating should have to cost any more time or money. It sets the dating mood without being too bold. There's nothing wrong with wanting to set a romantic tone early on—the shared intimacy of an indoor setting does make for great chemistry—but you don't want to seem overzealous by suggesting a dinner date at the beginning of things. At least not until you've gone out once or twice and decided dating is something worth exploring further. It doesn't require much small talk. The lack of noise in most coffee shops provides fewer opportunities for chatter, which means less pressure to keep conversations going—and you can drive the discussion with follow-up questions and observations. It's conducive to deep conversation. "Newsflash: guys don't want to date someone who doesn't have anything to say," dating expert April Masini tells mental_floss. "A coffee shop gives you and your date a place in which to share intimate details of yourselves and your lives, and creates a space in which you'll both feel comfortable letting down your guard." Coffee shops also tend to be fairly quiet, giving you plenty of time to talk easily without raising your voices or getting distracted by loud music (or even better, free wi-fi). Not only does this make for more meaningful conversation, but research suggests that deep dialogue is more likely to lead to romance than superficial chit-chat. Sources: dating experts Esther Boykin, April Masini; dating app The Date Deck; dating sites Chemistry and Match; "Coffee Shops Are Great for First Dates" (dating & relationship advice) Keywords without context: Dating tips Coffee shop dating Dating venues How to date Coffee shops are good for dating Safe dating places A great place for dating Cheap dating ideas What's good about coffee shops Places to go on dates How to pick the right dating spot Coffee shop idea Good for first dates Cheap easy dates Nice backdrop Relationship advice Makes you feel like a grown up Casual meeting Places that young people meet At ease in a coffee Shop dating dating advice dating tips dating advice dating advice dating advice dating advice dating tips dating tips dating tips 1. Meet at a coffee shop. [Initiating contact through article.] 2. "Coffee shops are cozy and casual, which is perfect for dating," says dating coach Esther Boykin, author of The Date Deck dating app . 3. Meeting up at a coffee shop requires little cash, while many dinner dates can get expensive fast. 4. If you're not having fun at your date, simply make an excuse about how you need to go soon—no awkward explanations necessary. 5. And if he's the one making you miserable, you can leave without feeling bad about it since there are expectations that dating should have to cost any more time or money. 6. At least not until you've gone out once or twice and decided dating is something worth exploring further. 7. Not only does this make for more meaningful conversation, but research suggests that deep dialogue is more likely to lead to romance than superficial chit-chat. 8. Dating expert April Masini tells mental_floss , "A coffee shop gives you and your date a place in which to share intimate details of yourselves and your lives, and creates a space in which you'll both feel comfortable letting down your guard." 9. Coffee shops also tend to be fairly quiet, giving you plenty of time to talk easily without raising your voices or getting distracted by loud music (or even better, free wi-fi). 10. dating app The Date Deck dating expert April Masini dating advice dating tips dating advice dating advice dating advice dating advice dating tips dating tips dating tips 11. "Newsflash: guys don't want to date someone who doesn't have anything to say," dating expert April Masini tells mental_floss . 12. And if he's the one making you miserable, you can leave without feeling bad about it since there are expectations that dating should have to cost any more time or money. 13. Meeting up at a coffee shop requires little cash, while many dinner dates can get expensive fast. 14. If you're not having fun at your date, simply make an excuse about how you need to go soon—no awkward explanations necessary.