Dating Rules

1. While on a date, it is important to practice good manners. This rule applies especially at dinner. No talking with food in your mouth, or being rude to the staff. You want your date to want to be seen in public with you.

2. Remain focused on your date. This is a time to enjoy being with one another. This means no texting or calling other people, and certainly means not looking at other members of the opposite sex instead of your date.

3. Keep the conversation flowing; no one likes awkward silences. Talk about similar interests, and not subjects that are too controversial.

4. Be sure to share. Be sure to share aspects about yourself with your date in conversation, but also be sure to share the conversation yourself. No one likes to listen to one person talk about themseves the whole time. So, ask your date questions and listen to what they have to say, too.

5. Relax and have fun. Laugh and joke around to make each other feel comfortable. You are together to get to know each other and see if a relationship might be possible, do not act as if you are interviewing each other.

6. If you are interested in having a relationship with your date, let them know. Do not wait too long to talk to your date again or you will never make progress. Find common ground between being overly eager and playing hard to get.

7. Be honest with one another. In a relationship, honesty is key from the start. As you start to get to know each other more, say how you really feel. No one likes being lied to, and ruining someone's trust is a step in ruining a relationship.

8. To be in a successful relationship you need to be able to communicate effectively. As you get to know your date more it is important to share deeper thoughts and feelings. Communication helps the two of you grow stronger as a couple and overcome problems and difficulties together.

9. Show your appreciation. Everyone likes to be assured that they are loved and appreciated. Relationships are about working together and for one another. Gifts and kind words can go a long way in showing your appreciation and making someone else happy.

10. If you break up, it may be very painful and as difficult as it seems, try not to have hard feelings. Being angry with someone makes it impossible to let go. Wish them well, and then pick yourself by focusing on yourself, work, friends, or anything that will help you feel better.