Dating Version 2.0: Modern Dating

Some of the old ways of dating could be use an upgrade. Welcome 2014 with these new and improved rules!

For most of us, the best--and usually our first--source of our dating উপদেশ is our family. We rely on the experiences and wise words of Mom, Sister, and in some cases even Grandmother, for the do's and don'ts of boys and relationships. But as years pass by, it might be time to rule out some of Mom's and Grandma's old (and old-fashioned) rules on dating and come up with reasonable guidelines that appeal to আরো modern minds.

The Old Way:
~Date only boys who belong to your বৃত্ত of friends.
The New Way:
~While there is some comfort in going out with guys you've known since grade school, remember that the whole point is dating is to get to know new people. The spirit of the new decade is overcoming boundaries, and a great way to take part in it is দ্বারা dating outside your usual "type" অথবা group. For instance, just because you're a computer geek, it doesn't mean that আপনি can't go out with a cute বাস্কেটবল player. All it takes is a little confident. If Troy and Gabriella from High School Musical অথবা Rachel and Finn from Glee were able to do it, why can't you?

The Old Way:
~Wait দ্বারা the phone for him to call to ask আপনি out.
The New Way:
~The old saying, "Never call a boy first", may have been right during your grandmother's time, but with all the ways of communication available now, it seems silly not to drop him any hints that you're interested. Text him, chat him over Yahoo Messenger, leave a message on his ফেসবুক Wall, অথবা mention him on Twitter. আপনি don't have to ask him out straight up if you're not comfortable with it, but it's okay to remind him that you're around if he wants to hang out.

The Old Way:
~Ask him to pick আপনি up from your house.
The New Way:
~Sure, there's still some merit to having a guy প্রদর্শনী up at your doorstep, then drop আপনি off after the তারিখ for a possible Hollywood-style goodnight kiss. But there's also no reason why আপনি can't meet him at a public place, like the restaurant where আপনি plan to have ডিনার অথবা the bowling alley where আপনি intended to hang out. Arriving and leaving on your own saves time---and it helps আপনি avoid an awkward drive প্রথমপাতা if the তারিখ goes sour.

The Old Way:
~Just have a ডিনার and watch movie.
The New Way:
~It's not the 50's anymore---dating doesn't have to mean ডিনার and movie all the time. Though it's great to share a meal and see a cool flick, there are tons of other fun activities আপনি can do together without spending too much like playing at the park, bowling, ice skating and many more. আপনি can even bring some mutual বন্ধু along to avoid any uncomfortable first-date experience moments. মোড়ানো up the দিন (or night) at a quiet coffee ভান্দার so আপনি can grab a bite, talk about your adventures together, and get to know each other in peace.

The Old Way:
~Sit pretty and let him make all the decisions.
The New Way:
~The days when girls were not much আরো than decoration for the ডিনার টেবিল are long gone. Most of the guys like girls who think for themselves, and who can churn out আরো than just, "Anywhere আপনি want, it's up to you" in response to the question, "So, where do আপনি want to go?" Feel free to suggest a restaurant আপনি প্রণয় অথবা an activity আপনি find interesting. Your তারিখ will appreciate your sharing the pressure of decision-making and will respect আপনি আরো for it.

The Old Way:
~Turn away all his compliments so আপনি won't seem too eager অথবা mayabang.
The New Way:
~One of the most common compliments among guys is that girl's can't seem to take a compliment. There's no need for আপনি to bring yourself down অথবা tell him, "You're just saying that." Accept his praise with grace! Nine times out of 10, he's telling the truth and আপনি know it. A simple "Thank you" will প্রদর্শনী that you're confident and comfortable with your self---plus, he'll appreciate being thanked for noticing how nice আপনি look in your dress অথবা how much pretty আপনি are.

The Old Way:
~Introduce your তারিখ to your parents first.
The New Way:
~While your parents' opinions definitely matter, putting your guy in the hot আসন too soon exerts unnecessary pressure on the relationship. A guy who doesn't know আপনি that well may not yet be ready for your Mom's loaded statements and your Dad's underhanded threats. It's best to wait for things to become serious before bringing him প্রথমপাতা to your family. It also helps আপনি avoid all the awkward প্রশ্ন when things end before they can truly begin.

The Old Way:
~Expect fireworks and romance on a one-on-one date.
The New Way:
~These days, there's a huge difference between a friendly date and a date-date. A guy won't break out the flowers, chocolates, and sweet gestures right away. Chances are, he'll call it "hanging out" and fall a few notches sort of The Perfect Gentleman In Your Head. The modern girl knows not to expect too much from a single date---and knows that chemistry and attraction can never be forced.




The Classics:

While some rules evolved overtime, there are still etched in the stone.

1.Be your self:
~Put your best foot forward, but make sure আপনি stay true to who আপনি are. Never lie to impress.

2.Be on time:
~We know আপনি want to be fashionably late, but keeping him waiting any longer than 15 মিনিট is just a plain rude.

3.Wear an appropriate amount of makeup:
~It's a date, not a হ্যালোইন party! Simplicity is the key.

4.Don't spend the তারিখ texting, tweeting, অথবা Facebooking:
~Focus your attention on your তারিখ and leave the social networking for later!

5.Avoid talking about other boys:
~He especially doesn't want to hear about how much আপনি misses your ex অথবা how cute অথবা handsome your classmate অথবা neighbor is.

6.Be a good listener:
~It's okay to talk about yourself, but make sure to ask him প্রশ্ন and listen to his stories as well.

7.Don't nag:
~He'll appreciate if আপনি call অথবা text a few days after the তারিখ to thank him and say আপনি had fun, but don't harass him the পরবর্তি week অথবা panic if he doesn't respond immediately.

8.Don't lead him on:
~If আপনি realize you're not as interested in him as আপনি thought, politely let him know when he asks আপনি out again. It may upset him at first, but he'll surely appreciate your honestly in the long run.