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About This Quiz
Did you know that dating only dates back about 120 years? Which is to say, yes, couples have always gone out and done things, but the idea of calling them dates, referring to dates on a calendar, is something that has only happened since the very late 1800s. You were often considered to be courting someone before that time, or maybe just calling on them.
The rituals of relationships have changed a lot over the decades and centuries. In bygone years, courtship was always a precursor to marriage, and a gentleman would call on a lady by making arrangements with her family. It was almost a business transaction.
You can't stop progress, though, and society has changed along with the rules of dating. Women have become more independent and in charge of their own choices. Dating is not necessarily a precursor for marriage, but perhaps the initial phase of a less structured kind of relationship. We finally have the chance to get to know people and decide if we want to spend more time with them without everyone else judging us. We can have fun! Ahh, romance!
No matter how far we've come, though, there will always be certain rules to follow. If you think you have them all down, take the quiz and find out!
The person who asked
The person who accepted
You should discuss it ahead of time.
Traditionally, the man pays for a date, although if two men or two women are on a date, this tradition helps no one. Instead, accept that it's a bit of an awkward discussion and just mention it during the planning phase. It's OK to say you'll cover it or you want to split the cost.
Decide in the moment.
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Lobster and foie gras
Lobster and foie gras may be the tastiest thing you ever ate, and it may be the house specialty, but on a first date it's not the best choice, simply as a price point. It's probably better to be modest on that first date in terms of what you order, even if you're the one paying. Otherwise, it could look like you're showing off.
Fettuccine Alfredo
Steak and baked potato
Quinoa salad
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A Taser
Money
Regardless of the plans you made for the date, whether you're paying, they're paying, or you're splitting the bill, make sure you have money to cover it and any incidental expenses. You never know what might happen, and you don't want to get left high and dry.
Snacks
A change of clothes
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5 to 10 minutes
Up to half an hour
No more than an hour
Don't be late.
"Fashionably late" is a terrible term that means nothing, really. Don't be late for a date. If anything, show up a couple of minutes early. Obviously, emergencies happen, but if you can't be there on time, you need to tell the other person, with as much notice as possible.
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Next to you
In your pocket
Anywhere, so long as it's off
You're not going to leave your phone at home on a date — no one expects that. But you don't need to be on the thing, either. Wherever you keep it, you should have it turned off for the duration. Nothing tells someone you have no interest in them like ignoring them in favor of your phone.
At home
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Ignore it.
Acknowledge it.
First dates are weird, and we all know it. You're engaging in this ritual that's meant to be a precursor (maybe) to romance, but with strange rules. Since you both know it's weird, you can be forthright about it and mention it to relieve that tension.
Have a drink.
Avoid dating.
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Not on a first date
Discussing your past relationships is bound to come up someday, but maybe the first date is the wrong time to do it. It's such a heavy topic, often a bitter topic, and has too much baggage attached for what should be a fun first encounter.
If the person you're dating does
If it comes up naturally
After dinner
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Things you hate
Thoughts on religion
Dating goals
Are you looking for something fun and casual? Are you down for a long term romance? Do you just want someone to hang out and watch Netflix with, with no chilling? Whatever your dating goals are, it's best to lay them out in the beginning so everyone is on the same page.
Past legal troubles
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Nothing
You don't want to lie about anything on a first date, even if it's a little embarrassing. If you're going through a rough time, if you're sleeping on a friend's couch — whatever it is — you should just lay it all out at the beginning. It's not really fair to the other person to hold back important stuff like that.
If you're unemployed
If you're not naturally blond
If you're leaving the country soon
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Just keep nodding.
Make a video with your phone.
Take notes.
Make eye contact.
Eye contact is important in establishing any good relationship. It's hard to do for some people, and that's OK; no one's saying you need to eyeball the other person the entire date. But when you're talking, make sure you hold that gaze sometimes to show you're engaged and interested.
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End it.
Tell them you're not interested.
Listen and maybe steer the conversation in a new direction.
It's hard not to judge someone right away if they go off on a tangent that either bores you to tears or is something you disagree with. Try to give someone the benefit of the doubt and redirect the conversation to see if there's still some chance that you might click.
Roll your eyes a lot.
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No
You can't get to know someone without asking questions. You could let someone just talk non-stop, but that doesn't engage you in any way. Ask questions frequently to get to know who they are and what they're all about. That's the best way to determine whether you're going to click or not.
Yes
Only ask a few.
Let your date do the asking.
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Name-dropping
Slang
Swearing
If you usually swear like a dockworker, that's fine for you, but you're making a first impression here! Keep the swearing to yourself on a first date, just as a matter of politeness and decorum. If you develop a rapport, maybe it'll be appropriate down the road.
Compliments
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Never
Within reason
If you like a drink now and then, there's no reason not to have one on a date, but you need to keep it within reason. Getting drunk on a date is not just inconsiderate — it could be dangerous for you. Know your limits!
Only if your date asks
Always!
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As much time as possible
Obviously you'll have exceptions to this rule, but in general, you need as much time in advance of a date as possible if you're serious about it. Give the other person time to prepare, and make sure they're free and available. It's just considerate.
It doesn't matter.
Whatever works for you
A few hours is good.
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Give up.
Ask why.
Suggest another time.
The fact is, sometimes people are legit busy next Friday night, so when you propose a date they really can't go. They also don't need to explain why if they don't want to. If the person says they can't make it, suggest an alternate time. It's what you'd do with any appointment you can't make, right?
Try to convince them to do it.
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Move on.
If you suggest going out Friday night and they say no, try suggesting Saturday. If they say no to that and still haven't offered an alternative, they're likely letting you know they're just not interested. No need to keep pressuring; just say "OK" and move on. It gets weird and potentially creepy if you keep at it, and that's not the impression anyone wants to give.
Ask when they want to go out.
Ask what their reasons are.
Suggest a few more times.
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Being sick
Running out of gas
Your date idea not working out
Always have a plan B. Sure, you want to go to dinner at the cool Mexican place that just opened, but what if they gave your reservation away? What if the power went out? What if they got shut down by the health department? Always have a plan in mind in case your date idea doesn't work out, even if it's literally the restaurant across the street.
Your ex showing up
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That the weather will be good
That the food will be good
That your date will pay
All of the above
It's best to assume nothing before a date. Back in the day, it was a given that the man would pay, but we've come a long way since then. You can't take anything for granted if you didn't discuss it beforehand, and that even includes the weather holding out or the food at an untested restaurant being divine.
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Call as soon as possible.
You want to be on time, of course, but if you can't make it at all, then let the other person know ASAP. We all have things happening in our lives, and if it's something worth your time, they'll understand. Reschedule for later!
Ignore it.
They'll figure it out.
Block their number.
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Keep it casual.
Dress for where you're going.
A date isn't a job interview or a funeral — it's a date. If you're going to a fancy restaurant, dress up a little. If it's more casual, dress down a bit. Wherever you're going, that's what you want to dress for.
The nicest outfit you have
Who cares?
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Any time
Within no more than three days
If you were super into each other, you might plan a second date while you're still on the first date, but, for the most part, you should look at about a three-day window for planning a second. Too super soon might put pressure on the other person, and too much time makes it seem like you don't care. Use that one- to three-day window.
A week or two
An hour or so after the first date
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No
Only if they ask
Maybe
This is a vague answer, but "maybe" is what you get. It's not impolite to open a door, so try. If the person you're dating doesn't want you to, they should say so. Traditionally the man opens the door for a woman, but times have changed, and, again, if two men or two women are dating, then that tradition is clearly meaningless.
A man should open doors for a woman.
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With a compliment
A sincere compliment is always a good way to start your date. It doesn't have to be super poetic and Shakespearean in nature, just something you really believe and something that will show your date you're paying attention.
With a corsage
With a kiss
With a fist bump
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After the third date
When it feels right
There's a lot of history behind the idea of kissing on a first date. Some people never do it, and that's OK. Some people will do it, and that's also OK. Which is right? Both. You should kiss someone when it feels right to both of you, and that doesn't need to have a time limit.
After you've discussed it
Right away
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Roses
Whatever's in season
Ask.
Flowers are a bit of an old-school romantic gesture, but if you really want to know the best kind, then you should ask your date what their favorite flowers are. You could guess and maybe get lucky, or you could get something they hate or are allergic to.
Don't get flowers.
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A hug
A neck massage
Face touching
All of the above
If you're a touchy-feely kind of person, you may want to curb that instinct on a first date. Touching someone you don't know well is never a good idea because it makes them uncomfortable, and it's an invasion of personal space. Even if you think it's just a friendly gesture, you need much more rapport with someone to get to that place than a first date.
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Pick a place you love.
Decide on a place together.
You want to base your date around what's fun and interesting to both of you. Planning the date yourself means you'll have what you want but maybe they won't, so don't pick your favorite bar or restaurant and just hope your date digs it.
Check what's good on Yelp.
Whatever's between where you both live
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Go check on them.
Leave it.
Rejection is a part of life. You'll get rejected from jobs, from loan applications, from all kinds of things. If someone doesn't want to date you, try not to take it personally. Not everyone in the world is your type, right? So you can't be everyone else's type either. Just leave it and move on — it'll make you happier.
Try finding them on social media.
Ask their friends.
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Just one
Two
No more than three
It doesn't matter.
The point of dating is to meet someone you feel a connection with. If that means you need to date eight different people in a month, why not? No one says you have to be sleeping with these people or anything else; you're just trying to get to know them. Don't settle for someone you don't like.
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A current one
You really need a current pic on your online dating profiles — it's the most accurate one you have. The person you're dating is going to meet you eventually, so don't lead them astray. Pretty much everyone has tried using a 10-year-old pic in which they look hotter and thinner, but it doesn't do you any favors.
Something with a good filter on it
Any pic of you is fine.
A professional pic
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Ghost them.
Block their number.
Tell them you're not interested.
Honesty is the best policy when it comes to rejection. You won't help the other person or yourself if you don't play it straight. Tell them you're not interested, and make it a clean break. Don't feel bad about rejecting someone; it would be worse to string them along or force yourself into a position that makes you uncomfortable.
Make up an excuse to get out of dealing with them.
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Avoid it.
People like self-deprecating humor, and it can be funny, but try to avoid that during the first couple of dates. If you talk badly about yourself, even in a joking way, you set a tone for how you feel about yourself and what you might be willing to let others say about you.
Whenever it seems funny
Over drinks
It doesn't matter.
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Never text.
As much as you like — they're just texts.
Less is more.
People used to worry about when to call someone, but odds are you're texting the person you want to date to work out the details. You don't want to blow their phone up, but you don't want to be a ghost, either. Everyone has their phone on them pretty much all the time, so a few texts here and there are fine. Less is more, in general, if you're just working out details.
Once or twice a day
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The man
The woman
Discuss it first.
Whoever feels it
There can't be a rule that dictates feelings. You can't know who has to make the first move or when — that wouldn't make sense. When you feel that the situation is right, when you feel a mutual attraction, that's when you make a move. And, hopefully, they reciprocate.
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You Got:
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