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 advice 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 more modern minds.

The Old Way:
~Date only boys who belong to your circle 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 by dating outside your usual "type" or group. For instance, just because you're a computer geek, it doesn't mean that you can't go out with a cute basketball player. All it takes is a little confident. If Troy and Gabriella from High School Musical or Rachel and Finn from Glee were able to do it, why can't you?

The Old Way:
~Wait by the phone for him to call to ask you 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 Facebook Wall, or mention him on Twitter. You 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 you up from your house.
The New Way:
~Sure, there's still some merit to having a guy show up at your doorstep, then drop you off after the date for a possible Hollywood-style goodnight kiss. But there's also no reason why you can't meet him at a public place, like the restaurant where you plan to have dinner or the bowling alley where you intended to hang out. Arriving and leaving on your own saves time---and it helps you avoid an awkward drive home if the date goes sour.

The Old Way:
~Just have a dinner and watch movie.
The New Way:
~It's not the 50's anymore---dating doesn't have to mean dinner 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 you can do together without spending too much like playing at the park, bowling, ice skating and many more. You can even bring some mutual friends along to avoid any uncomfortable first-date experience moments. Wrap up the day (or night) at a quiet coffee shop so you 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 more than decoration for the dinner table are long gone. Most of the guys like girls who think for themselves, and who can churn out more than just, "Anywhere you want, it's up to you" in response to the question, "So, where do you want to go?" Feel free to suggest a restaurant you love or an activity you find interesting. Your date will appreciate your sharing the pressure of decision-making and will respect you more for it.

The Old Way:
~Turn away all his compliments so you won't seem too eager or 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 you to bring yourself down or tell him, "You're just saying that." Accept his praise with grace! Nine times out of 10, he's telling the truth and you know it. A simple "Thank you" will show that you're confident and comfortable with your self---plus, he'll appreciate being thanked for noticing how nice you look in your dress or how much pretty you are.

The Old Way:
~Introduce your date to your parents first.
The New Way:
~While your parents' opinions definitely matter, putting your guy in the hot seat too soon exerts unnecessary pressure on the relationship. A guy who doesn't know you 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 home to your family. It also helps you avoid all the awkward questions 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 you stay true to who you are. Never lie to impress.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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