Dating Mistakes You Are Making You Should Avoid

Photo credit - Stockey United

1. Hoping she'll make the first move
It's the 21st century—women are allowed to ask guys out, right? Right, but that's not a pass for you to sit back and expect her to come to you, says dating coach JT Tran. "Girls still want to be chased," Tran says. "Hoping for a woman to make the first move is fighting a losing battle. It might happen, but it probably won't."

2. Not paying for the first few dates
In today's enlightened society, the question of who pays seems complicated. But it's not, according to Thomas. "Some things are just too ingrained in gender roles," Thomas says. "In the first few dates, you want to set that masculine, care-taking tone." Picking up the tab for the first three dates doesn't mean going broke—if you can't afford three fancy dinners, take her on a picnic, to a museum, or check out your local public library.

3. Paying for everything
Once you've set that "masculine, care-taking tone," you can stop diving for your wallet. "On the fourth date, you should pause and give her a moment to jump in," Thomas says. "You want to show her that you can take care of her, but if you pay for everything the relationship takes on a parental quality." If she's not looking for a sugar daddy, she'll appreciate being able to pull her own weight.

4. Rattling off your résumé
Regaling her with tales of the amazing things you do or have done may seem like a surefire way to impress her—or not. "Guys are socialized to believe that their value lies in what they do," Thomas says. "But she wants to date you, not employ you." Women find it difficult to connect with men who are constantly selling themselves, Thomas says. Instead of talking about what you do, tell her how you feel about things, how you experience life, what makes you tick, and what inspires you.

5. Not having a plan
Women like decisive men, and the best way to show her you're capable of stepping up to the plate is by planning good dates. The key word being 'planning,' not just 'winging it.' "Good dates are planned, and all situations are thought of—nothing is left to chance," says Tran. "Try planning a date day, not just an event. This allows you to see her in multiple situations and both feed and entertain her, instead of just one." That said, it's better to think of your 'date day' as being on an Italian timetable: Flexibly romantic and never on time.