Today I thought I'd go over some of what I had assumed to be basic dating etiquette. After years at BYU, and since I was 18 or so, I've been on what I feel like is an adequate number of dates, a plethora, even, to have a pretty good idea of what is acceptable or not. Perhaps you'll even remember this blog post from a year ago where I listed some things that were for sure BAD ideas of things to do on a date, specifically one of the first dates.
Tonight I went out with a friend. Honestly, I'm not sure if it was a date, or if we were just out as friends; and mostly, I don't really care which it was. But it made me wonder why I put up with terrible awkward dates! It was much better than the last handful of actual 'dates' I've been on. So, Good idea, Bad Idea (maybe this should become a weekly blog... we'll see)
Good Idea: Introducing your self to your date. And remembering their name.
Bad Idea: Introducing yourself to every person in the room except your date
Good Idea: Having plans. Set plans. Some spontaneity is fun, but youtube/excessive video gaming should be reserved till a relationship has ensued.
Bad Idea: Not having a planned agenda. "Um, let's watch youtube videos for the next hour..."
Good Idea: Put a time limit on dates! Hello lunch dates, Ice Cream dates, smoothie dates. Mini golf, Even a movie... seriously, anything less than 6 hours.
Bad Idea: Marathon dating. I'm done with it. You get 2 hours, tops, if I don't know you. And even if I do... more than that is getting long. The last two blind dates I went on were 6 hours long EACH! It is exhausting!
Good Idea: When playing a game choosing your date to be on your team. In fact, you should pretend like your date is the most important person in the room. (Hopefully you won't have to pretend.)
Bad Idea: When playing a partner game not choosing your date to be your partner. Even going out of your way to choose someone other than your date.
This has been another edition of
:)
That is some excellent date etiquette~ the Good Idea parts, that is. Perhaps you could make a video kind of like Manners for Missionaries? I think it could be very instructive for men and women alike. It could be part of a required class...maybe one of those films you have to see for American Heritage and have an online quiz that follows! This could really 'raise the bar' for dating at BYU!
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