10 Mistakes That Gentlemen Make When Dating

Dating is a difficult and dangerous game where the potential pitfalls are plentiful. So, gentlemen, we bring you a list of the 10 most common mistakes that men make when dating so that you can read them at your leisure, re-read, learn and even print out if necessary so that you will be mistake free from here on out.

1. BOOKING SOMEWHERE WITHOUT CHECKING IT OUT FIRST, It’s all very well that you’ve chosen somewhere recommended by multiple friends as the perfect date venue, but how were you to know that they all in fact went on a Friday and the lively jazz bar that ‘every girl loves’ is all but dead on a Thursday? Do your research gentlemen.

2. ORGANISING TOO MUCH FOR ONE DATE, Especially if this is a first date, it’s best to stick to just drinks, just in case you realise half way through that in fact what you thought was an instant connection when you asked for her number at the bar last weekend, was actually more akin to two people who have absolutely zero in common. The last thing you want to then do is sit through 3 gruelling courses of food, followed by awkwardly sitting side by side at the theatre.

3. BEING INDECISIVE , What day are you going to meet? What time? Where are you going? These are all questions that you should be answering, not her. Don’t be that guy who has the balls to ask a girl out, but then can’t make a decision on the finite details. It’s annoying and sends a million mixed-messages and warning signs from the get go.

4. GETTING DRUNK , It might seem like an obvious one, but trust us on this – a drunk man on a date is not a good look. Yes it’s fine to have a few drinks, even head out for several more post dinner, but do not, whatever you do, go beyond the point of tipsy and into the realm of drunkenness – it’s unattractive, it’s a massive turn off for women and you will undoubtably do or say something you’ll regret the next morning.

5. GETTING TOO DEEP TOO SOON, Yet again, you’d be surprised how easily gentlemen forget what is and isn’t acceptable to ask during the early dating stages of a relationship. Yes, of course you need to get to know each other, but don’t go asking her about failed relationships, exes, and deceased relations until you’re at least on the right track for going exclusive. No one wants tears on a first date, trust us.

6. FORGETTING YOUR CARD/CASH, A rookie error, but one none the less that many a man has made. Be sure to double – make that triple – check that you have your card on you, plus some cash, just in case. We’re not suggesting that you have to pay for everything (although we’re old fashioned like that), but not being able to tip the waiter or having to ask her to pay after you’ve chosen the most expensive bar in Mayfair is both embarrassing for you, and awkward for her.

7. BEING LATE, This is the worst first impression that there is. It doesn’t matter if there really was a crisis at work, or you genuinely did have to deliver a baby on the bus en route, it will make her think you’re not that bothered about her or the date in question. She should (and probably will) be a good 10 – 15 minutes later than you. So get there on time, if not a few minutes earlier. Or better still, arrange to pick her up from her own house or office – that’s far more gentlemanly.

8. UNDER-DRESSING, It doesn’t matter where you’re going, or what you’re doing on this date, a woman will always want to make a great first impression, and so should you. Jeans and trainers simply wont cut it, gents.

9. NOT DOING YOUR RESEARCH, Ok, we know how annoying it is that you can find out everything about a future date over the internet – one quick Google search can tell you everything from her job title, blood type, phobias and even her views on post modern feminism, but whilst we prefer to keep things a little more traditional and stay away from social media as much as possible (we prefer a little mystery), do bother to find out if she’s allergic to seafood before booking a table at Scott’s, or working out she lives in Wimbledon before organising a late night date in Hackney Wick.

10. EXPECT TO BE ‘SEALING THE DEAL’, It doesn’t matter if it’s date number 3 or 33, a gentleman should never, under any circumstances, expect or assume that a date will be leading to you know what. This is a surefire way to have her delete and block off all future contact should you show signs of this in anyway. You’ll know when she is ready, trust us the signs are unmissable.

By Holly Macnaghten Twitter @HollyMacnaghten