What do people do on dates?

Go to dinner. Go to a park. 

Is eating and enjoying nature too “American” for you? 

A "date" can be just about anything.

If a couple is spending time together - it can be considered a "date".

Typically - a date does involve going someplace.  It could be out to dinner (does not need to be fancy to be a date - eating at McDonalds could still be a "date" if the couple wants to call it that.)  

When my husband and I were in the "dating" stage - we did all kinds of things together - sometimes it involved actually spending money but other times, it would be as simple as a picnic lunch after hiking a nature trail at a nearby nature reserve.

As for what people do on dates - if they are actually "dating" - then they should be talking and getting to know each other.  If they can't develop good communication and conversation while dating - then how could they ever expect to have a relationship.  

And - "dating" does often also involve kissing, touching, and possibly sex - that just depends on each couple and how physical they want the relationship to become.  

If a couple gets together for just sex without doing anything else - I don't really consider that a "date".  That is just two people who wanted sex.   If the date doesn't involve spending time together in some way that doesn't involve sex, then I don't consider it a date.