The ghosts of dating, past, present and future

When he impressed us: By opening the back of his panel van to reveal a mattress, curtains and quadraphonic sound.

How the date ended: With a skinny dip under the moonlight

Why we worried: “He slipped his tongue in an odd place, do I have to reciprocate?

70s dater: Donnelle, 50 PA

My parents died when I was young and I spent most of my life at boarding school, so I grew up without any conventional boundaries. After college I moved to Sydney’s southern beaches and spent my weekends on the beach bathed in baby oil, seeking the perfect tan. I had great friends. We went out most nights but we didn’t have many one-to-one “dates” much. We might pile into a car and go to the all-night drive-in, (with a couple of us in hiding in the boot, to get in free). Alternatively, we’d go to the pub after work, then hit the disco and arrive home in time to shower, change (out of the halterneck and satin slacks) and go straight to work.

Was I sexually moral? No more or less than anyone else. I didn't look to my peers, or have a mentor. I was a free spirit. It was not a time of great introspection – we just accepted life as it was and enjoyed the ride without going to extremes. I married at 23 and had two great kids. I’ve taught them to think for themselves, the same way I did. I became single again in the 90s, so I realise just how lucky we were in the 70s – feminism gave us a brand new freedom, it was pre-AIDS and you could still get around at night without fear. In retrospect I think I was also lucky I never fell off my platform shoes and killed myself!

80s Date:

Who our role models were: Jane ‘feel the burn’ Fonda, Sue-Ellen Ewing, Alexis Carrington

What we wore: Big hair, big shoulders, big jewellery. Dancewear and flannellette trackies

Where we went: Pubs, Chinese Restaurants, Bali.

When he impressed us: By opening his wallet, flashing his gold credit cards and owning a sports car.