Dating rules of the past that still make sense today

Are you tired of the same old cheesy chat-up lines? Do your dates keep trying to put you in uncomfortable situations? Are you looking for a true gentleman? Believe it or not, there are some out there; it’s just a matter of finding one. Here are some dating traits of the past that still make sense today when you’re looking for a true gentleman.

A good man is easy to find when you know what to look for

Honesty: You deserve a guy who is always honest. Not one who keeps trying to pretend to be something he’s not. You won’t fall for it and he’ll end up looking foolish. In return, you must also be genuine and just show him who you really are. If that doesn’t work, don’t take it personally; find someone else to talk to.

Sincerity: A true gentleman is friendly and genuine. He will try to keep the conversation light and try to get to know you without getting too personal in the beginning. As well as sexual chemistry, you want a man who can be your best friend.

Sense of humour: Don’t underestimate the importance of a sense of humour. You need a man who can make you laugh. If he’s boring you senseless then obviously you need to find another date, but if you’re cracking up with laughter, this might be the one.

Sharing: Relationships need to be balanced, a gentleman is interested in you, he will not sit and talk about himself all night. He will ask you questions about yourself and share some personal information about himself with you. This will help you to relax and show you that he’s not just interested in heading for the bedroom.

Confidence: There is a fine line between confidence and arrogance and you don’t need a guy that overdoes it. A confident and assertive man is very sexy, but an arrogant and aggressive man is a real turn off. If he’s trying too hard he doesn’t believe in himself. Look for a guy that acts naturally.

Improving your own confidence

You have to be confident enough to attract a man of high caliber. To figure out exactly how confident you are with the opposite sex, think about the men you talk to or spend time with in different situations, such as the workplace, the dance club, the local bar. Are any of them handsome guys or do you tend to feel safer with the average looking men? If you are not confident with the type of man whose attention you really want to arouse then you need practice being in different social situations and talking to different guys until you feel more confident. You can try it anywhere, just start chatting to someone in the store or on the train; it’s all good practice. You can find more dating tips at Vixen Daily.

Modern-day mistakes you should avoid making

Personal etiquette goes a long way when you’re dating. Here are some things to consider to keep your gentleman interested.

• Be on time for your date. Don’t keep him waiting around for you, this may backfire and he may have already left when you show up.
• Dress to impress. However, don’t overdo it. If you’re meeting at a coffee shop, don’t wear an evening gown.
• Don’t sit there texting your girlfriends while you’re on a date with him. If you’re not comfortable turning your phone off completely, at least set it to vibrate. And you should expect the same of him.
• Be honest about your intentions. Let your date know from the start if don’t intend to get intimate early on in the relationship.
• Chivalry is not dead, but don’t assume he will pay for dinner. Offer to pay half. If he insists on footing the bill, then it’s perfectly fine for you to accept.
• Don’t get drunk. It’s not going to make a good impression on your new gentleman friend if you get wasted on the first date.
• Don’t overshare. The worst thing you can do is give up too much information on the first date.

A gentleman should make your first date one to remember. He doesn’t need to fly you to Paris, but a trip to Burger King just isn’t going to cut it. Dinner at a quality restaurant or an outing to a local gallery or show is what you should expect.

Victoria McDonald is a relationship and life coach – Helping those in a relationship to stop the ‘grass is greener on the other side’ thoughts and appreciate what they have. And helping singletons to find ‘the one’.