These guidelines are reminders of what women appreciate and often long to see in a man.
Asking a Lady for a date
The correct way to approach the fairer sex is with a simple question. Don’t ask if she is busy on Saturday night but give her specifics such as “I have tickets to Mamma Mia on Friday evening. Would you like to join me?” A few days notice is acceptable for an informal date but a couple of weeks is preferable for a more formal occasion.
Breaking a Date
A date should only be broken for reasons of health, a family emergency or an important work issue. Contact the lady in question as soon as possible and supply a full explanation as well as a suggestion for alternative arrangements if appropriate.
Meeting the Parents
If the lady in question is still living at home, the man should make a point of meeting her parents and/or other adults in the home before taking her out on their first date. It is acceptable to do this when he arrives to pick her up.
Physical Contact When Dating
It is etiquette for a man to offer a lady his arm as they walk, as she ascends or descends a flight of stairs, as she enters or exits an automobile and to steady her chair as she is seated at a dinner party.
Manners When Speaking
Politeness and quietness are keywords here. There is no place for boasting, excessive volume or coarse language. The date should also be treated as an intellectual equal.
Paying for a Date
It is common to split the bill these days, but a true gentleman who has asked a lady out, will always insist on paying for the date.
Escorting a Lady Home
It is good manners to escort a lady to the door of her home. This is also a way of ensuring her safety. To do this, park the automobile, open her door for her, ask her for the front door key and unlock her home. If the room is in darkness, enter before her and turn the light on.
Saying Farewell
It is appropriate to chat for a few minutes at the door. This is also the time to say the evening was enjoyable and make a request to see the lady again.
The process of dating has changed over time but a man is likely to receive a favourable response if he follows these guidelines. There is a princess in the heart of every woman that responds to chivalrous behaviour.
Recommended reading: The Book of Etiquette by Michael MacFarlane, Sterling Publishing Co, 2004.
