Over the years, dating has become somehow a colder affair, than it used to be. No one wants to go back to chaperones, the strict dating rules and etiquette of yesteryear, but have we gone too far the other way and made dating such a casual thing that it has lost some of the special romantic qualities, that going on a date used to have. Here are ten things about old fashioned dating, which might make think that modern girls are missing out:
1. Being picked up from your door for a date
The old school gentleman would always go to a girl’s door to take her on a date. This was much more romantic, than receiving a text saying, ‘I’m here’ from your date sitting comfortably in his car or desperately trying to find each other at a busy location where you have arranged to meet.
2. Bringing flowers on a date
Another tradition that we’ve lost, particularly on a first date, is the bringing of flowers or other gifts by a guy for his date. It’s not being presumptive; it’s just a sweet way to say thanks for coming with him on a date.
3. Talking, face to face
You can’t really get to know someone online or via text messages, yet this is now the modern equivalent of old fashioned courting. Got something to say? Then go and see the person! A text with a smiley face or a Facebook message can hardly be called romantic, just meeting for a coffee and a chat would be a lot nicer.
4. Calling a date a date
Another modern development is that people seem to feel the need to avoid calling a date a date. It’s hanging out, meeting up or just talking. Why not make things clearer and, if it’s a date, then call it a date and make it something special, like it used to be?
5. Making an effort with appearance
Dressing for a date used to be a part of the overall experience. She would put on her best party frock and he would wear his smartest suit and comb his hair. Perhaps we don’t need to go that far these days, but a little more effort, than just the jeans and T shirt you’ve been wearing all day, wouldn’t go amiss.
6. Switching off electronic devices
Not really a big problem in the old days, but if they’d had cell phones, they’d have switched them off! Old fashioned dating was all about spending some time with your date and avoiding distractions, so you could concentrate on each other.
7. Gently holding each other and swaying to the romantic music together
Going to a dance was an opportunity to get close to your date, not stand five yards apart gyrating manically to ear-bursting mega-decibel music! It was much more romantic to gently hold each other and sway to the music together.
8. Enjoying the simple pleasures
It would be boring if we didn’t have all the fantastic and exciting entertainment options that we have now, but there was something really romantic about simplicity of date destinations of the past, like going for a walk, roller-skating or a catching drive-in-movie.
9. Anything more than a cheek kiss wasn’t even expected
Back then, anything more than a cheek kiss wasn’t even on the agenda or, at least, they didn’t admit it was. People had time to know each other better and connect on multiple levels; this made the relationship much more pure and beautiful, and the foundation and friendship in the relationship were a lot stronger than physical.
10. Making it clear when you are going steady
Instead of awkward, beating around the bush conversations about where the relationship is going, old fashioned dating had its definite stages and boundaries. They didn’t fear commitment back then and, if they felt it was right, then they said so, and they were going steady. At least, everybody knew where they were at and there were no misunderstandings.
What other things, on your opinion, modern ladies miss about old fashioned dating?
Feel free to share your thoughts and dating wisdom in the comment section below.
Stay happy!
