On the surface, dating may seem easy enough to most. However,
there're plenty of ways to doom your chances if you don't
know some of the essential do's and don'ts.
| Dating
Do's |
| 1. |
Do know
enough about your date to tailor the conversation
to his/her background. Generic conversations are
usually boring. Really study their profile to see
what interests them. |
| 2. |
Do keep
at least some of the conversation light-hearted,
funny and intriguing. If you haven't laughed at
all during a date, things are going terribly wrong. |
| 3. |
Do listen.
Sounds easy? It doesn't seem to be. So many people
complain the other person never noticed what they
said. |
| 4. |
Do ask
questions. The easiest way to show you're listening
is to ask pertinent questions. Your date will be
pleased, possibly even stunned. And almost always
impressed. |
| 5. |
Do clean
up. Make hygiene a priority. Wear a fresh shirt
or outfit you haven't slept in or found in a corner
of your closet. If you're meeting after work, take
a toothbrush with you when you leave your place
in the morning and brush before you meet your date. |
| 6. |
Do have
ideas about what to do. Put some thought into this
before you go out. |
| 7. |
Do be
on time. If you're always late, start out earlier
than you think you need to. You never get a second
chance to make a first impression…and this
will be the first impression. |
| 8. |
Do make
eye contact, but don't be weird about it. Talking
to your date while you're looking around the room
or playing with your silverware is really annoying. |
| 9. |
Do call
the day of the date to confirm time and location.
Call or e-mail the day after to thank them for a
nice time. Whether the date was great or just an
experience, there's no substitute for manners. It's
the right way to treat people. |
| 10. |
Do be
warm, friendly and happy. It's all contagious, and
it makes it much more likely you'll get the same
reaction coming back to you. |
| |
|
| Dating
Don'ts |
| 1. |
Don't
leave your blackberry or cell phone on. This interruption
could work against you in a big way. |
| 2. |
Don't
talk about an ex. This conversation will probably
come up much later when your relationship has blossomed.
If you're angry about an ex, or are still pining
for them, it'll show. |
| 3. |
Don't
splash on too much cologne or perfume. Some people
are allergic, while others just may find it too
much. |
| 4. |
Don't
gossip about anyone. Trashing anyone alerts your
date immediately you have a mean or shallow streak. |
| 5. |
Don't
talk too long on the phone initially. It could be
fun, but it could also wear out your welcome. This
is a really easy way to be misunderstood. Count
this double when e-mailing. |
| 6. |
Don't
bring presents until you're engaged. Some people
will feel too much pressure and move on. Others
will stay for the wrong reasons. |
| 7. |
Don't
go to downer movies in the beginning. The show might
have great acting and a stirring message. But, if
it depresses either or both of you, it can be contagious.
It can not only make the evening hopeless, but the
relationship, too. |
| 8. |
Don't
tell dirty, political or religious jokes until way
later in the relationship. In fact, unless you are
a professional comic, jokes might really be something
to forget about until real love has consumed you
both. It's too easy to offend someone you don't
know well. |
| 9. |
Don't
ever pressure anyone for sex, not even a kiss. Carefully
watch the other person's body language and if it
isn't saying receptive, then stifle yourself. |
| 10. |
Don't
wait too long before you call for a second date.
Likewise, don't refuse a date just to play being
hard to get. No one wants to feel manipulated or
unimportant. |
