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Atmosphere is essential for college romance BY JUSTIN CHAPPELL TIIK (iAMKCOCK It’s a combination of sweaty palms, eye contact and body movement that shapes the in stinctive side of a hot or cold date. And with USC located in the heart of Columbia, there are just as many rationales for a specific place as there are overall dating locations. “I like Five Points — dancing at Rafters,” first-year criminal jus tice student Anne Ahuja says. A night of dancing presents a re laxed environment and allows easy communication. “You can get to know the per son without the stress of being one-on-one.” Voicing a similar opinion, first-year international studies student Stephanie Jones agrees that dancing dates are good, al though she expresses different reasoning. “Clubs are fun because you get to see if the other can dance,” Jones says. Places to take a date range from a raucous Friday night at Five Points to a cool, quiet evening on Main Street. Commenting on the Jammin’ Java coffee shop on Main Street, third-year media arts student Nick McDonald says he likes to research the local music scene in preparation for a date. “Not hard rock,” McDonald says. “A good acoustic show, like at Jammin’ Java.” McDonald says “middle-of-the-road” music is the best style for those special out ings. For the performance-minded folks whose dating preference lies in the live arts, third-year chem istry student Ileana Strauch sug gests the Trustus Theatre, located in the Vista. “It’s a laid-back atmosphere with La-Z-Boys, popcorn, and at the same time, it’s hip and risque,” Strauch says. For those of us who aren’t spec tacular on our feet and don’t fancy the fine arts, first-year pharmacy student Thien Kim Ho has some suggestions for a date with a con versational tone. “Not a club,” Ho says. “Somewhere intimate where you can talk: restaurants, malls and parks.” While all of the previously men tioned locations will probably have some out-of-pocket expens es, it’s apparently not a major dat ing mistake to grace the campus’ student union. “I’d take my date to the Russell House, straight to the Gimp, and use my meal plan,” second-year electronic journalism student Jason Grant says. However, Grant also offers a tip on how to flatter your date if it’s going well. “If she’s pretty, I’ll get her the 32 ounce drink, too,” he says. Speaking of using campus re sources, second-year electrical en gineering student Ceedric Chapman says the traditional din ner-and-a-movie approach works well. “First, we’d go to the Russell House Theater — because the movies are early,” Chapman says. He offers another low-cost method to top-off the evening: “Then we could get a McFlurry at McDonald’s,” he says. Whether it’s a first date or an other outing with an old flame, there are options for everyone from the hot-toed dancers to the budget-minded meal-planners. Next time that special someone asks for a night on the town, ig nore the sweaty palms and enjoy the McFlurry. Comments on this story?E-mail gamecockudesk@hotmail.com PHOTO BY MORGAN FORD/THE GAMECOCK Amy Foweler and Jay Begg enjoy the afternoon on the Horseshoe, h popular spot for couples. Dinner CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 Judaism, Christianity, Wicca, Hinduism, Buddhism and the Baha’i faith will all be represented at the Interfaith dinner. The purpose of the Interfaith Student Council is to enhance students’ understanding of differ ent religions and to promote ac ceptance and tolerance of the var ious religious groups on campus. The dinners help the council with this mission. Rosansky said the interfaith dinners show students a different aspect of religion, while broaden ing their understanding of differ ent faiths. “It opens your eyes to a side of religion that people often forget about. Religion is not just political but also cultural,” Rosansky said. “It’s important for students to attend the dinner be cause it increases diversity and shows them there is more than just Christianity on campus.” United Methodist Campus min ister Tom Wall said he thinks the interfaith dinners make religion more accessible for students through the telling of stories in stead of the teaching of doctrines. “I think many students are not aware of the various faiths and re ligions around the world, and there is nothing like meeting and hearing people to learn about their religions,” Wall said. “The informal storytelling is better than just reading a book about re ligion.” The interfaith dinners also give lesser-known religions a chance to educate others about their faith and views. “While the Baha’i is the second most widespread religion, the num bers are not that high,” Bahiyyih Young, a fourth-year psychology student and Baha’i Club member, said. “Baha’i is especially not well known in South Carolina, and the dinner gives us the chance to share with other people.” For more information on the interfaith storytelling potluck dinner, contact Rosansky at rosansky@mailbox.sc.edu. Comments on this story?E-mail gamecockudesk@hotma il. com ■uliicaHB =3 The Editor in Chief is responsible for all operations of The Gamecock, USC's student newspaper that is published three days a week during the Spring semester. Duties include overseeing editorial content, recruiting and supervision of the editorial staff. Applications and job descriptions are available at the Office of L the Director of Student Life, Russell House 115, or online at L www.sa.sc.edu / studentmedia. DEADLINE for completed applications is Wednesday, November 12,2003 @ 4:00 p.m. tl frwrito Quick, Healthy and Fresh! Burritos, Tacos, Salads, and Soups! Affordable, so saddle up... 934 Harden Street / Five Points 765-2188 The Fraternity & Sorority Councils Present The 19th Annual CAROLINA/CLEMSON ' “A 4 AMERICAN RED CROSS Blood Drive November 17-21,2003 The Russell House Ballroom 1 11:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. Appointments may be made by e-mailing carolinablooddrive@yahoo.com + American Red Cross