The Modern Gentleman’s Guide to Date-Night Etiquette

Because revisiting civility never hurts.

Photo by Andrea Piacquadio from Pexels

1. Ask her out formally : No wanna hang? or other excerpts of casual conversation. Let her know you would like to take her on a date. Ask her out to that new place in town, or be thoughtful and grab the tickets to a movie she wants to see. Ask her if she’d like to go with you. Gentlemen are unapologetic about asking a girl they like out.
2. Make reservations : A gentleman doesn’t try to wing it when it comes to important engagements in life. Call-in the restaurant ahead of time to make reservations. No one wants to show up to a date to find a waiting-line and having to change plans mid-way through.
3. Walk up to the door to pick her up : If you have taken the responsibility of picking her up, do not send a text saying ‘outside’, ‘waiting’ or ‘I’m here’. Walk up to the door to pick her up.
4. Open the doors for her : This shouldn't come as a surprise. Very few of common courtesies still prevalent today, it’s the least to do on a date and otherwise.
5. The phone stays away : Be respectful enough to your date to give her your full attention. Keep the phone away, unless it’s for something truly unavoidable.
6. Thank You & Please : Never forget your manners. All requests involve a please and gestures of kindness, demand a thank you. Under no circumstance, should swear words be a part of your language on a date.
7. Ensure her comfort : A gentleman ensures that the lady does not feel uncomfortable. He is quick to act according to her level of comfort if he finds an action or speech of his disturbing her.
8. Pay the bill : A gentleman considers it his duty to take care of the bill on the first date and if he’s considerate, even after that. It’s acceptable to split the bill after having been on a few dates afterwards, only if your date insists.
9. Thank them for their time : Regardless of how the date went, a gentleman thanks the lady for her time and company. He considers it his genuine pleasure to have been able to host her for the evening.
10. Walk/Drop her home : This is a given, you don’t let the lady walk home alone. It’s just as much your responsibility to take her home safely as it was to pick her up.