Dating Rules Can Capture A Heart

When it comes to dating rules, the golden rule is still a good one to follow: treat your date the way you'd like to be treated (ok, so I paraphrased). This is true no matter what age of women you are dating, but if you're dating an older women she might just hold you to it more than a younger woman would. 

Here are some common sense tips that should be followed by anyone, man or woman. It doesn't matter if your dating someone your age,older or younger. Common sense and common courtesy will get you a long way... and possibly a second date:

1. Don't act like you're doing your date a favor by going out with them. This happens when one of you is much better looking than the other (or possibly a lot younger, richer, etc). If you really think that your date is that far beneath you, why would you go out with them in the first place?  

My guess would be that you're actually pretty insecure about yourself, though you hide it well, and going out with someone who you consider inferior makes you feel better about yourself. Do everyone a favor and get some counseling before you do any more dating. Don't subject others to your crap. If you can't treat your date with dignity and respect you have issues that really need to be dealt with sooner rather than later. 

2. Don't start dating too soon after a breakup. It's normal to want to find love again and end the pain, but if you date too soon you'll just create more pain. The new person in your life doesn't deserve to be in competition with your ex. Make sure you're really over your ex before you start dating again. 

3. Take the time to get to know your date. Obviously, this is most important on the first few dates, but even if the two of you have been together for a while, I'm betting there is still a lot you can discover about each other. Take the time to ask. If you're just starting out with someone new, try to get to know them. Find out what they like, what they don't like, what they want in life, etc. You don't need to get too heavy on the first few dates, ask these questions in a casual manner, not like you're secretly building a shrine to them inside your closet... creepy. 

5. Do what you say you're going to do.  If you say that the two of you will be exclusive, be exclusive. The days of the 'playa' are numbered. Everyone has your number. Anyone who breaks a promise isn't a player, they're a jerk. It's not cool, it doesn't make you the 'man' it makes you an insecure jackass who doesn't care who he hurts to get his ego stroked. Grow up and don't make promises you have no intention of keeping. 

None of these dating rules should be that hard to follow, it's really just about being a decent, honest man or woman. If you do have trouble following them than you should probably consider counseling before you consider dating.