1.Don’t expect the guy to pay.
Sure, it’s a nice gesture, but is it seriously
still
necessary? These days, people are all over
the map in terms of financial
independence
and the ability to pay for themselves, let
alone a plus one (especially if you’re both
relatively new post-grads). I can maybe
get
behind the rule “the person who does the
asking, does the paying,” but, even then:
meh. You’re both investing your time.
Don’t
decline a second date just because you
had
to pay for your own $3 beer.
2. But if he is paying, don’t take
advantage of it.
Look, dating is not your opportunity to try
out that super bougie French place
uptown
with $19 apéritifs. It’s an opportunity to
get
to know someone new and hopefully
even
make out while you wait for the subway.
If
you can’t afford the meal, don’t expect
this
guy to.
3. Don’t be afraid to date outside your
type.
It might be a total disaster, but it might
also
be a good time. I’ve dated men that
range
from a cook with full tattoo sleeves to a
gawky kid that worked at Fox News. Both
of
them ended up being total disasters, but
at
least I gave each one a shot. You never
know who will surprise you.
4. Stop going out with dudes you’re not
actually interested in, just because you
have nothing better to do.
I can name five things you should be
doing
on a Friday night instead: re-watching
Freaks and Geeks on Netflix, making
friendship bracelets for your gal pals,
reading a book, watching Youtube videos
of
dogs greeting their owners coming back
from war, or literally anything else other
than leading someone on just because
you
don’t want to be alone in your apartment.
It’s a pretty scummy move; if you tried
dating out but ultimately decided you’re
not
into it, don’t waste someone else’s time.
Nobody likes that person.
5. Create an online dating profile.
This is 2014. Don’t let the haters stop
you
from doing your thing. Just go for it;
worst-
case scenario, you have a drink with
someone you aren’t actually into. If they
ask
for a second date, politely let them know
you’re not into it and move on. No harm,
no
foul.
6. Let your roommate know where you’re
going.
Chances are, your date probably won’t
murder you, but in the words of my
mother:
“it only takes one time.” Just shoot your
roommate or best friend the details of
the
man you’re meeting up with, including his
contact information, a link to his profile (if
you met this potential Ted Bundy online)
and where you’re meeting up. It takes 30
seconds.
7. Stop worrying about your number.
Stop. Just stop. This is just plain
ridiculous.
Sleep with who you want, when you want
to.
8. Don’t follow your friends’ advice on
who
to date.
Everyone has different tastes. I’ve been
into
some guys that weren’t exactly
conventionally attractive, but who I
thought
were insanely hot. My friends have
balked at
my taste, but hey, I’m the one making
out
with him, not them. (Also, if you have
some
slightly chubby, bearded friends with
absolutely no sense of style, slip them my
digits, please.)
9. Stop drunk-texting That Guy.
I am one of the worst offenders of this.
But
seriously, it’s not cute. You’re too old for
that
****, and it never ends well.
10. Know what you want.
There’s nothing wrong with wanting a
boyfriend. There’s also nothing wrong
with
wanting a buddy to have casual sex with.
You do you, just make sure the guy knows
what’s up, too. No one likes mixed
signals.
11. If you like someone, ask them out.
The worst they can say is “nah, I’m good.”
I
know this is difficult, since we ladies are
typically taught to let the knight in
shinning
armor come to us, but all I’m saying is, if
you’re boss enough to audition for that
play,
run that meeting, or analyze those
numbers
at work, you’re certainly boss enough to
ask
some schlump to grab a beer and play
skeeball.
12. Be open, even if he’s wearing what
appears to be his great aunt’s sweater
vest.
I don’t know how many times I’ve heard
some iteration of the phrase “oh, he’s
really
nice and cute, but he doesn’t dress well.”
Um, no, that’s not a reason not to go out
with someone. Chances are, he’s wearing
that ill-fitting polo and New Balances
because his mom went on a coupon
rampage at Kohl’s. But fear not, ladies:
eventually you can gradually start buying
him cardigans. And he will probably wear
them. Be patient.
13. Calm Down
It’s a date, not an interview to join the
FBI.
Don’t be the person you think the other
person wants. Don’t freak out if you
accidentally overshare about the time you
threw up at the 7th grade student council
meeting. Just chill out, enjoy the night,
and
see if anything comes of it. You might be
sitting across your future long-term
boyfriend, or you might just be sitting
across from a dude with whom you will
only
share an illuminating conversation about
artisanal cheese. Either way, it’s not that
big
of a deal.
14. Don’t adhere to arbitrary rules about
dating.
Because, let’s be real, none of us really
know
what we’re doing, anyway.

OK... dat one is For d Americans, where is d one for NLers?

Matildachinyere: OK... dat one is For d Americans, where is d one for NLers?

Lmao. Very funny. What is good for the goose is also good for the gander.