| Number 10
Thou shalt not share excessive details about your past
You have a past; she has a past. Bringing up all the fine details of your old dating triumphs and troubles is unnecessary. It'll only lead to jealousy and pointless competition. Don't give her graphic details of your best one-nighter, and don't badmouth the ex. This is one of the most overlooked yet timeless dating rules. Treat your dating history like a CV -- a few key details to display your credentials (and show you're not a psycho) with no over-elaboration.
Number 9
Thou shalt not place her on a pedestal
Poets may have written verse after verse about worshipping a woman like a goddess, but doing so in reality always ends in disaster. It might seem romantic to revere your girl like Aphrodite, but it comes across as desperate and overbearing. What she wants is for you to know all of her, including her faults. Of course there's always room for occasional romance and compliments, but make sure to treat her like the real person she is the rest of the time.
Number 8
Thou shalt not seem too enthusiastic
No one likes a stalker. You may be falling hard for her, but give her room to breathe: no bombarding her with phone calls, no “surprise” visits and no requests for dates every day of the week. This, too, is one of the most important timeless dating rules. Like the old showbiz cliché says: Always leave them wanting more. Try to follow the 3-for-1 Rule: Don't initiate contact more than three times in a row; let her come to you once in a while.
Number 7
Thou shalt not lead her on
Adopting a laissez-faire approach to a relationship is a bad idea. There's little point in pursuing something that just isn't working. Know when it's time to stand up and walk away. You don't have to literally stand up and walk out of the restaurant at your moment of realization, but don't chase dates merely for the sake of dating. Generally, if you aren't sure things are working out, they’re probably not.
Number 6
Thou shalt compliment her
Take the time to make her feel good about herself. In today's dating world, with all the rules, systems and mind games, the old-fashioned compliment is often overlooked. If she looks beautiful, tell her. If she's the funniest girl you've ever dated, let her know. Liked that new little trick she pulled in bed? Definitely say something...
Number 5
Thou shalt not discuss other women
Never dangle other women in front of her. It might still be the early stages of your relationship and things aren't serious just yet, but before you establish an exclusivity rule with her, the other women you’re dating should always remain separate. This is one of those forgotten timeless dating rules. Being respectful entails letting her know if you're dating others, but not going into the gory details. Don't mention that cute girl you met yesterday, and don't check out other women in front of her. Also, in the long-term, don't use other women to stir up jealousy; mentioning your new 19-year-old secretary isn't going to inject passion into a declining relationship.
Number 4
Thou shalt not let thyself go
After spending some time with a girl, you'll start to feel comfortable around her... sometimes too comfortable. You won't feel the urge to impress her and let things slide. You should relax around her, but this can go too far. Forgetting about hygiene, indulging her in bathroom humor, wearing ratty, stained shirts, and adding on a few extra pounds should be avoided. She knows you're a real person and, believe me, she knows you have faults, but she doesn't need to be reminded how much of a slob you really can be. Don't act like she's your frat buddy -- a timeless dating rule.
Number 3
Thou shalt not rush things
Don't be the kind of boy who won't kiss on the first date, but don't rush things either. Relationships are organic and develop at their own pace. Working on a timetable, like planning on moving in together after two years, getting engaged after three, and getting married after four just won't turn out well. Wait until things feel right, rather than doing it all when it’s expected. And under no circumstances should you tell her you love her in the first month (perhaps one of the most important timeless dating rules).
Number 2
Thou shalt not frequent thy exes
Forget the myth that after breaking up, you and an ex can remain best friends and help each other through the struggles of the next relationship. Your focus should be on the girl you're with in the here and now. By all means, be amiable with your exes: exchange catch-up e-mails every few months and say hello when you bump into them. But they should never linger around your new relationship like the smell of a decaying corpse.
Number 1
Thou shalt not lose faith
In the dating game, these facts are certain: Not every pickup attempt will land a date, not every date will be perfect, and every relationship, except The One, will end in tears. Taking these guarantees on the chin is perhaps the cardinal rule of dating. Don't dwell on the bad times -- learn from them, and get yourself ready to approach the next girl.
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CHAT
