When it comes to dating, knowing the proper etiquette and remembering to follow it can be overwhelming. Should you hold the door open? Should you pay for dinner? If you do pay, are you being polite or are you worried you’ll be called chauvinistic, expecting something more from your date? If you’re left feeling a little paralyzed over what is the right thing to do and need some help navigating the uncertainty of dating, we recommend the following:
Chivalry
Chivalry doesn’t have to be an old-fashioned, gender-driven behavior, it simply means having good manners. Instead of stressing out over how your date will react if you hold the door for them, ask yourself: ‘Is this a polite thing to do for a fellow human being and would I like someone to do the same?’ The way you behave with these small acts gives a stranger an indication of how you behave in other areas of your life.
Don’t overcompensate though – make your manners as natural and authentic as possible. Laying them on too thick can seem forced and it will most likely make your date feel uncomfortable if they can’t move without you sprinting to open doors and pull out chairs for them. We suggest finding a happy medium instead.
Texting
Yes, manners can apply to texting too. Put a little effort into how you start and sign off your messages. Saying ‘really looking forward to meeting you on Friday’ can go a long way to grease the wheels of romance. Keep messages light and friendly but try and avoid using abbreviations – ‘IDK and TTYL’- don’t generally tend to exude class and sophistication. We also suggest keeping texting to a minimum. This is definitely not the time to overshare about boring or insignificant things like your tax return.
Paying
When it comes to paying, in heterosexual relationships, our advice is that the man should make the first move to offer to pay. There is something very attractive about a man taking charge of the situation. If your date insists on paying their half, you should, of course, respect their wishes but the gesture of picking it up will be greatly appreciated.
Getting home
When the Uber pulls up, open the door and see them safely in. If you’re sharing, be sure to then walk around the other side, don’t climb over them or expect them to scooch over! If you are walking, try to take the side of the sidewalk closest to the cars. Again, only if it can be done naturally, don’t make a scene trying to make this happen!
Follow up
Whether you decide to pursue things or not, always follow up with a message thanking them for a lovely evening. Treat everyone as you would like to be treated; even if you aren’t a match for each other, it’s still important to show mutual respect for the person you spent an evening with.
If you need further guidance on dating etiquette or any other areas of your romantic life – contact us today and see what Maclynn International can do for you!
