Okay, so, dating, right? It’s a wild world out there. I decided to really dive into this whole “dating etiquette” thing, and boy, was it an experience. I started off with this whole idea of playing it cool, you know, the “hard to get” act. I read somewhere that it’s supposed to make you more desirable. The chase and all that.
So, I tried it. I really did. I’d wait a while before texting back, act all nonchalant, like I had a million other things going on. And you know what? It felt…weird. Like, I was trying to be someone I wasn’t. Plus, it was exhausting trying to keep up the act. But I kept at it, thinking there must be something to it.
- I went on a few dates, trying to maintain this “mysterious” vibe.
- Kept my answers short, didn’t ask too many questions, the whole nine yards.
Honestly? It didn’t really get me anywhere. One person even called me out on it, saying I seemed “distant.” Ouch. That was a wake-up call. Maybe this whole “playing hard to get” thing wasn’t the way to go.
Online Dating
I also dipped my toes into the online dating pool. Now, that’s a whole different beast. I tried to craft the perfect profile, something that was interesting but not too try-hard. I swiped, I matched, I chatted. I even went on a date set up through an app.
It was…okay. We had a decent conversation, but there wasn’t really a spark. And honestly, the whole process felt a bit like a job interview sometimes. Plus you never know who you’ll meet. It is tough.
The Real Deal
Then I met someone the old-fashioned way. Through a friend. We hit it off immediately. No games, no pretense, just genuine conversation. We talked for hours, and it felt so natural. We shared what we were looking for, no hidden agendas.
It made me realize that all this “etiquette” stuff is kind of…bull. Sure, there are some basic manners, like being respectful and showing up on time. But beyond that? It’s all about being yourself and finding someone who appreciates you for who you are. No need to act or be anyone else.
We started “courting,” which is apparently different from just “dating.” It’s more serious, I guess. More about really getting to know each other on a deeper level. We took our time, no rush. We talked about our values, our goals, what we wanted out of life. It was scary at times, being that vulnerable, but also incredibly rewarding. We put love and trust on the table from the beginning.
And yeah, we kissed. And let me tell you, it was amazing. Not because of some “technique” I read about, but because there was a real connection there. It felt right. It felt real.
So, that’s my take on dating etiquette. It’s less about following some rule book and more about being true to yourself and finding someone who gets you. It’s about respect, honesty, and yeah, a little bit of luck. Don’t waste your time on games or people who don’t appreciate you. Find someone who makes you feel good, who you can be yourself around, and who you can build something real with. That’s what it’s all about, at least for me.
