I always laugh when people ask me about dating dos and don’ts.  There are only so many tips and tricks I can give a woman.  Once you’re out on the date, it’s a matter of simple chemistry. However, with the way culture is shifting, typical date etiquette is changing too.  Gone are the days where men would insist on driving you to and from your fancy dinner, opening every door and paying along the way.  However, just because you and your date might take the subway and meet for lunch at a burger bar, that doesn’t give you an excuse to be rude! Here are the five fastest ways to ruin a great date!

1)  No Cell Phones Allowed

Don’t talk on your cell phone! No, make that don’t even USE your cell phone! Doesn’t matter if you’re checking the time, checking a text, or playing a game while the food is on its way. Using your cell at the table is just plain rude. Of course, there are always emergency circumstances – your sister is 8 months pregnant, you’re both going to a movie after dinner and you want to keep an eye on the time, etc. In cases like these, just politely explain the situation to your date and I’m sure they’ll understand. But if you want to lose a guy’s interest in less than ten seconds, take out your phone and shoot your BFF a text. By the time you hit “send,” you’ll have turned him off completely.

2)  Quit Bitching!

So you and your best friend had a minor spat, you got a flat tire, or you’re just so tired of the .  This is a date, not a therapy session. Save your complaints for your diary and just have a good time. There can be humor in the truly tragic sometimes, so if that’s your sense of humor, try to use your best judgment. But know the difference between a clever quip about how cruel the world can be, and a monotonous monologue about how awful your life is.

3) Keep the Beauty Prep in the Bathroom

DO NOT check your makeup at the table! Here’s how this works: when he sees you, he thinks you’re beautiful. He’s not looking for blemishes, or clumpy eyelashes, or frizzy hair. He sees you as perfect. However, the second you start questioning that by pulling out the compact and fussing over your appearance, he starts to wonder if you’re really as hot as he thought!  Let the illusion of perfection remain untouched as long as you’re dating. Guys appreciate a little mystery.

4) Act Like a Lady!

Lay your napkin on your lap, cut your food into bite-size pieces, and don’t slurp your soup or your spaghetti! Nothing can make him lose his appetite faster than seeing you act like a slob during a lovely dinner date.  Sure, if you go out for Indian food, maybe using your hands might be acceptable.  But for almost ALL other occasions, know how to handle your silverware. And by all means, do NOT act rude to the waiter!

5) Know How to Take a Joke!

Just like pulling pigtails on the playground, a bit of playful teasing is an indicator of attraction.  In other words, if he makes a sassy joke, he’s probably into you.  But it can be a total deal-breaker if you don’t know how to handle a bit of friendly teasing.  Remember you’re both on this date because there’s some mutual attraction.

These are some of the simplest ways for a date to go way downhill.  But hey, on the bright side, if you find yourself stuck in an awful dating situation, now you know how to get out of there as fast as possible!

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