Union Weekly ASI - California State University, Long Beach

All of the dates I have been on as of late have been duds. Guys just don’t know how to treat a lady right these days, and it’s sad. I don’t know where all the gentlemen have gone. I am fed up with relationships built around texting and Facebook messaging. People who want to pursue relationships with one another need to spend time face to face and learn more about that person. Online messaging and texting allows people to develop a persona that is different from who they are in real life, especially because of the time lag and the chance to revise dialogue. I realize that our culture is driven by technology, but that doesn’t mean that every aspect of every relationship has to be. What ever happened to talking in person? Or even phone conversations instead of Facebook messaging and texting all the time?

The following is my advice for men who want to be gentlemen on their dates (in real life). I’m not an expert, but I am a female. And I have certain expectations of gentlemen that could be considered to be fairly universal.

When you pick up a lady from her house on a first date (as you should!), you need to walk to her front door and knock. Do not text her that you’re “outside.” That is the equivalent of honking in the ol’ days. Don’t just sit outside in your car because you’re afraid to meet her parents. This will make her wonder what is wrong with you and why you’d be too intimidated at the prospect of meeting Pops to knock on the front door. Meeting her parents for the first time only takes 10 minutes at most. You should be a fine young gentleman if you want to be dating their daughter.

For the very first date, the gentleman should pay. On any dates after that, I personally believe the costs should be split evenly. It isn’t fair to make guys pay more, especially when everyone is in the whole struggling-college-student boat.

At the end of the night, walk the lady to her door. Do not try to go in for a goodnight kiss unless she lingers. Either way,  you should try to ensure her safety. It says so much about your character when you take the time to walk her to her door and make sure she gets into her house okay. Do not just drive off after she shuts your car door. This is a bad move. It makes it seem like you’re not interested.

Finally, if you have to say that you’re a gentleman, that defeats the purpose. Do not hold open a door for me and say something along the lines of “Yeah, my momma taught me how to treat a lady right.” If you are truly a gentleman, she will know. You do not have to announce it to the world.