So if you've been itching to take out a friend's summer fling he hasn't talked about if five years or if that stud down in accounting
really caught your eye, fear not-they're no longer off limits. Plus we have a few more tricks up our sleeves that might surprise you.
The Guy Always Pays - Now if a guy asks you out on a date and you accept, I'm all for him paying. But if you two come
to the mutual conclusion you should hang out sometime or you take the bull by the balls and pop the question, that old guy pays for
everything mantra flies out the window. Now I know a lot of guys who will insist on paying for everything, but that has a lot to do
with the fact that they're programmed to feel like they should. Whip out your debit card when he's not looking or insist you feel like
paying your own way. And if you're gay (two guys, two girls), these rules just fly out the window. Divvy that check up how ever you damn
well feel like it. Of course, if you're lazy or you insist on being treated like a princess, well .
The Three Day Rule-If I had a dime for every time someone told me they couldn't call the guy or girl they had a killer
time with last night because they had to wait three days and make them sweat it out, I'd be flipping rich by now. It's also the dumbest
thing I've ever heard. If you like someone, call them. Now I'm not saying leave messages every 15 minutes until you get a call back, but
if you know you had a good time and you think the feeling was mutual, what do you have to lose by letting that person know. If they're
really going to penalize you for calling too soon, that person obviously wasn't the right one for you.
Friends Exes Are Off Limits-Let me clarify. I'm not saying pick up with some guy's ex wife the minute the divorce papers
are final. But if a friend of yours went on a casual few dates with someone summer of 2002 and you happen to run into them, don't keep yourself
from the possibility of having fun by playing that old, 'can't date my good friend's ex' card. The way I see it, unless this person did your
friend really wrong or there was domestic abuse, a child or prison time involved, any relatively good friend is going to want happiness for you,
and they aren't going to let stupid pride get in the way of your having it. The old, 'If I can't have it, no one can' mantra is played out, and
so is this cardinal rule of dating.
Co-Workers are a No-No Too-Employees (i.e. subordinates), yes-that's a big ole' hell no. But the way I see it, if you've got a
thing for Jeff in accounting and the only time you see him is when he swings by with your John Hancock on a W2 every now and then, why the hell
wouldn't you date him? Some companies try and enforce strick no dating policies-you try getting them to enforce that when you're preggers with
your third kid. OK, maybe I moved a bit fast for you, but the point being. few things can stand in the way of true love, and as long as this isn't
someone you might be tempted to fire if the requisite first kiss doesn't go according to plan, I see no reason why you shouldn't give yourself every
possible opportunity at finding love.
Wait a Few Dates Before Giving It Up- Know what you're getting yourself into before you drop knickers and hit the sheets, for sure,
but the days of holding out 'til marriage are over. You're a grown adult, you can make your own decisions, and since I know people who screw before
they learn each others names and wind up partnered for life, I doubt there's any harm in giving it up before you've exchanged rings. Now I'm not trying
to suggest you screw and then go for dinner, but if the chemistry's there and it feels right, go with it-don't keep the sex at bay until who knows when
just because someone told you tht's how you're supposed to behave.
Hide From the Parents Until it's for Real-Parents are a tricky subject. Some people try and stuff them away in some closet until
they're already half way down the aisle. Others blab on and on about doing it when the time is right. That's all well and good, but there's something
to be said for getting it out of the way up front. Kinda like you do the work you hate first so you can spend quality time doing the things you love.
Why torture yourself for months over whether mom and dad are going to approve of your new relationship? Make the introductions, have a family meal and
get on with your relationship.
Never be the First to Say I Love You -Now this one is just nuts. If everyone waited until they heard someone else say those three
little words, no one would ever say them. Granted, it takes guts to stick your neck out on the line.