Good luck tonight, Beardedman!

I conduct myself a certain way. On a date or otherwise doesn't really matter.

Aloha ((((Leigh)))) So how are you today?

I have a rigid set of rules I use when I date. I always pay for everything. I don't make crude remarks. I show maximum respect.

Once a relationship is established, one can become more "familiar" with the jokes and in general but if the respect is lost... why date?

Hol� handsome! ...Happy hump day!

I always feel like a little kid when I get called handsome.

Trust me babe, you're no kid! ....

And here I thought I still had some boyish charm.

You do, but that's a different movie...

lol, the brits have it all figured out...

lol, the brits have it all figured out...

Well one of us is at least playing with a full deck and not being given the runaround, eh?

depends on who has the full deck, i guess...

If I ask somebody out it's my treat and if the lady asks me if I want to go out somewhere I don't want her expecting me to pay. I will offer to pay for my own drinks or whatever though and won't insist if she wants to buy a round etc.

They say that you should never talk about sex, politics, or religion and I went out with a woman recently that talked about those things. I suppose that it's fair enough if those things are important to you. I basically just try to be respectful but some people might find my manners a bit course. That's ffine. I think that people like that are snobs.

I've got the full deck! It's the 'fool' deck you're playing with wee man! Ha ha

Well I missed the memo. I do not know of any list of rules of dating.
(Can you show me the list?)

Now I know rules of manners. Wear clean clothing, do not slurp your soup, say please and thank you and be respectful.

I have never had a problem with being a bit of a rebel and going my own way; be hanged societies petty rules when they are truly unfair.

BUT, and this is the fly in the ointment, I don't want to be a "Rebel without a Cause".

Generally social rules have a reason. Maybe it is a guideline for making what should be relaxed, pleasurable, safe, and give dignity for both and that makes sense to me.

Opening a car door for a lady is a good example. Obviously modern cars today are easy enough for most women to open safely with ease. But if a lady allows her companion the time to shut off the vehicle, exit, come around, collect himself, and open her door the transition as to where you are going to move forward from is smooth and effortless. He is not left trailing behind like a servant and it is clear that the woman respects the man for his courtesy of providing transportation. You also know where the car is parked. (lol)

True some social rules in dating have fallen out of favor rightfully so but some make a lot more sense if you really look at the underlying good will they generate.

Thankfully we have moved away from adults "having" to ask the permission of parents to date or marry. However those smart individuals that recognize no one is spawned from rock and that continuing to have the hospitality, approval, support, and even unguarded privacy/protection of an extended circle of friends and family surely makes a relationship smoother. Knowing even a minimum of a persons background by direct interaction means you have and understanding of who they are and where or why they are going where you will be sharing if you have a relationship.

I do think everyone has to own their own independence and responsibility for choice, even their own individuality but having rules is not always so much about restrictions as having a handrail not to get knocked off the trail before you can learn someone's preferences.

Thank you :-)