Love in times of crisis

This crisis not only is scary and frustrating. For some of us—immigrants who have lived through similar situations in our home countries—it also feels like a déja vu. Which means that, for once, we can contribute some "how to tips." here are a few on how to date on a tight budget:

-Don't leave the kiss for the end of the date. Make the date about the kiss.  The whole date actually. Find a bench in a public park and kiss, kiss and kiss. It's free (in winter, add some playing around to work out some heat.)

-Beer: one, draft, shared. Very romantic. Dutch have been doing it for decades.

-Back to basics: instead of paying $24 for two movie tickets to watch badly scripted conspiracy theories about spies, governments or aliens, read the daily newspaper or statements from financial companies' ex-CEOs.

-Comedy clubs are overrated. Turn off the lights in your living room, get a cold beer and turn on the TV to watch a political debate. 

-Terror movies are cozy but expensive. Turn off the lights again, hug closer to your date and watch once more the political debate.

-For a romantic dinner bring candles (if really broke: one candle but scented) to a fast food joint (hey, at least you may be able to afford them, in Latin America fast food joints are "aspirational," meaning equally or more expensive than real restaurants.)

-You can still bring your date to a concert. There are quite a few talented musicians performing in the subway. Choose your favorite spot and bring your drink (non-alcoholic, please, unless want to finish the night in jail) as well as a few singles (or quarters depending on how Belgian, sorry, how broke you are) to pay for the performance.

Remember: The most important advantage of dating in time of crisis is that once all the entertainment and distraction are gone, you will be able to actually discover who your date is and decide if you even like him/her. ¡Suerte!