Society as a whole has evolved so much that the dating rules that were set in stone a mere generation ago don’t apply anymore. Heck, what was deemed acceptable five years ago is no longer practised today. Going out for a milkshake and driving down Sunset Boulevard was considered reasonable in the 60. In contrast, now, women expect to be wined, dined and entertained by their dates before even considering a second meet-up.

Despite all the changes that we’ve seen in the world, one thing remains firm and steadfast: men absolutely have to practice chivalry for a date to go smoothly. Even the most feminist of women will undoubtedly appreciate this, no matter how hard she tries to deny it.

Even though men still have to play the part of the ultimate gentleman, more and more pressure is now being placed on women to perform during the first date. She is no longer required just to smile and look pretty. Stimulating conversation, a sense of humour and inherent intellect are now expected from the modern woman.

Although there is still a bias that’s skewed in the man’s favour, there’s no denying that women are playing a more important role in the dating scene. From initiating the first move to paying for the meal, women are certainly more in control than ever before.

Do not strain your back carrying conversations 

I get it; you really like this person. They’re cute, they have got an excellent job, and they might even be really sweet to you, but talking to them feels like hard, hard manual labour. If you find that you’re the only one who drives the conversation or who brings up important questions, it might be time to reassess whether you want to continue feeling the back pain of basically lifting the relationship or if you want to explore others who might provide you with more ease. Let’s face it, conversations build interest and lacking that can mean a sudden disenchantment from this person once that “new relationship energy” subsidies. 

Date within your comfort level 

Opposites attract, but common ground solidifies. So if you know you are a good law-abiding Christian person, do not seek out the wood nymph with values that do not align with you. Trust me, acknowledging differences at the beginning and how they will impact your compatibility can save you both a lot of heartache down the line. Similar value systems and ways of living can help to even out those pesky differences that you might not like but that you accept.