Dating, whether you like it or not, is a game. And as the competition evolves, sometimes the rules need to be updated to reflect the changing nature of play. (It's not your father's dating game, after all!)
Allow us to reveal the very latest dating and relating regulations. Better start studying.
Play Easier To Get
We've had it with folks advising daters to act as if they're interesting, busy and have a life (suggesting anyone who'd take that advice seriously isn't and doesn't). This waiting around for him or her to ask you out, or calculating the right amount of time to hold off calling after your first date, or turning down a perfectly good Saturday-night invitation just because it was issued on a Thursday night, was always nonsense. But with the popularity of ideas like "He's Just Not that Into You", the bar is set higher for showing your interest. Even if you're genuinely "just really busy," all we hear "just really not interested," and it's going to take some effort to prove otherwise.
Take Command of Technology
It's no longer enough to just be charming in person. You're going to need to be savvy to cell phones, emails and instant messages, too. Other tech rules? Dump that antiquated answering machine; playing the field successfully requires voicemail. (Do we really need to spell out for you the dangers of having Date #2 hear Date #1 leave a message about the great time last night?). And cover your tracks well if you're MySpace stalking or Googling your dates. Sure, we all do it, but there's no need to go public with that information.
Follow Formalities
When is a date not like a date? When you're merely 'hanging out". We get that hanging out is a good way to test the dating waters without putting your ego on the line, but, taking a deep breath, making your intentions known and taking a risk is sexy. (And sitting around watching your date get drunk with their friends? Not so much.) We propose an end to the ambiguity of "hanging out" and go back to a time when we all knew whether or not catching a movie with a prospect was going to end with a kiss or a friendly slap on the back.
Prolong the Lust
Yeah, we're all progressive here and know that hooking up on a first date isn't a death sentence for a new relationship. That said, we still think the sexual tension of a steamy goodnight kiss (followed with a firm, if longing, goodbye) is so much hotter. It will totally suck at the time, but you'll be glad you waited later.
