As part of their “Ask a Tween” series, The Atlantic asked a bunch of 7th graders what dating is really like in middle school. And though some of their musings are pretty age-specific, turns out dating doesn’t really change that much from 7th grade through ’til, well, ever. We picked out some of their best wisdom, but we totally suggest watching the whole video for all of their spot-on observations about the world of tween romance.
They shared their go-to date spots:
“Maybe you go to Starbucks or Chipotle or something.”
“To Panera, Starbucks, CVS isn’t like a date spot but they have really good and cheap candy so I go there.”
To keeping things chill:
“You could either be really chill with it or some people take it too far. I mean, we’re in middle school, so relationships may not even carry on that long.”
“I think we’re like, 12, so I don’t think anyone is seriously a boyfriend or girlfriend or anything like that yet.”
And of course, their feelings on the opposite sex:
“Some of the boys at these schools are really ratchet.”
There’s the guy who seems to be taking a page from, oh, every guy we've ever dated:
“That kind of pressure, I don’t really need that right now in my life."
And of course, your dream date:
"I'd probably try to become friends with them first and see what they're interested in. If the girl I had a crush on wanted to go see One Direction, I'd be like 'I just bought two One Direction tickets and my friend can't come, would you like to join me?'"
(Even we’d take him up on that offer — need a chaperone?)
Related: Tavi Gevinson Dispenses the Best Dating Advice Ever
