So you think you're ready to play the dating game do you? It's a complicated world out there and dealing with the opposite sex can be intimidating, not to mention devastating to your ego if you do the wrong thing.
For example, take a look at these few questions. If you've worked up the courage to ask out your "dream date", you'll want to make sure you don't blow it- you may never get another chance.
DO YOU KNOW?:
1. Who pays on the first date?
2. Is "Are you busy Friday night?" a proper first date proposal?
3. Is it acceptable for a woman to ask a man out on a date?
4. If a date is going badly what do you do?
5. What is the proper time frame for canceling a date?
6. What topics should be avoided on a date?
7. At dinner, someone tells an offensive joke- how do you respond?
8. What is the cardinal rule for dating someone at work?
9. What if you are dating more than one person at a time, do you have to tell them?
10. How do you say "no thank you" politely when someone asks you out?
ANSWERS:
1. Who does pay on the first date? Modern manners dictate that whoever did the asking also does the paying, that is unless you've made different arrangements at the beginning. If you can afford to pay for the whole meal, make sure you ask whoever you are inviting if they will go "Dutch" when you ask them out.
2. A proper way to ask someone out is to first indicate your interest and your intention to ask them out, for example, "Hi Tom, I was wondering if you might like to go out with me sometime?" This gives the other person a chance to think about their answer rather than say yes or no too quickly and have to change their mind later. After they have said, "Yes, I'd like to go out sometime", then you can go ahead and ask about a specific date.
3. It is acceptable for a woman to ask a man out on a date, however, just as boys have to be prepared to be rejected sometimes and also be prepared to pick up the tab when they do the asking, so should young ladies.
4. If a date is going badly, it is far more polite to say something like, "I don't think this is working out well, let's call it an evening" or "would you mind taking me home" than it is to sneak out and never come back or lie or act miserable all night.
5. If you can, it is best to give as much notice as possible. No one likes to be "stood up" or cancelled on at the last minute. Always take some time before you accept invitations to be sure you won't have to cancel later.
6. You should avoid talking about things that make the other person uncomfortable or things that they are obviously not interested in. It is also rude to talk about other people, especially other's you are dating.
7. If you are offended by the joke, you shouldn't laugh. Instead, sit quietly and try to change the subject. If the joke is really offensive, you can say, I don't think that is appropriate and let the person know they were rude.
8. First of all, if you want to keep your job, check the rule books and make sure dating is allowed. If you do date at work, be discreet. Keep your personal life personal and don't let romance interfere with getting your work done.
9. If you are dating someone and you have both made a commitment to date only each other, it would be dishonest not to tell them you are seeing someone else too. If you are dating casually, it is no one's business who else you are dating.
10. Just be polite and be honest. Tell them you are not interested in dating right now but that you appreciate the offer. Try not to make a face or give them the idea that you think you're better than they are. It takes a lot of courage to ask someone out and they've just given you a compliment so be nice. The worst thing you can do is say yes because you feel sorry for them and make they feel awful later when you cancel on the.
