Etiquette is the customary code of polite behaviour in society or among members of a particular profession or group. When we think of etiquette, it may seem like an old-fashioned concept, like courtship, landline telephones and Facebook. We tend to have images of sour-faced aristocrats sneering down their bespectacled noses at people for holding fish knives incorrectly, or something equally arbitrary and ridiculous. In a broader sense, etiquette is still remarkably relevant. Because, well, we should all aim not to be a ‘bush man‘ on a daily basis. When it comes to dating, this are some etiquettes to abide by:
- Offer to pay on the first date, but never insist. If she wants to go 50-50, the gentlemanly thing to do is to agree. Or the other way to play it is to forget gender politics completely and work on this rule: if you requested the pleasure of their company, then you should pay.
- Take the initiative in organizing the first date. Few things are less sexy than asking: “So, what do you fancy doing?”
- Even if you can see instantly that a blind date is a blind alley, stick around for a couple of drinks at least. It won’t kill you, and they might be feeling the same.
- Message the day after a date, if not sooner. Even a disastrous one.
- Use a recent, representative profile photo on dating apps. Don’t use the photo from five years ago when you still had hair, let it be relatable.
- Message first and say something specific pertaining to their profile. As long as it’s not “nice rack”.
- Offer your date the seat with the best view. Or whichever seat she/he wants for that matter.
- Put your phone away.
- If you’re in a restaurant, treat service staff respectfully. Being rude to waiters and waitresses, even bad ones, is a dead giveaway that you are a wrong ‘un. Your date will notice, and so will everyone else.
- Don’t leave more than a day between messages if you want the correspondence to continue.