Gotta Know How Not to date

Top 5 tips for enhancing your dating life–and the life of your date

by Rachel Studer

Having relationship issues? Here are some pro-tips on dating that will skyrocket your seduction skills. Real-time advice from Nation-Ford’s favorite exes!

Don’t Be Clingy

While loyalty can be the start to a healthy relationship, it can quickly morph into an unhealthy obsession. In the words of an anonymous NFHS senior, “Clinginess is a double edged sword. Treat it as such.”

Passive aggression can quickly breed a toxic relationship and a tricky situation.

“I’ve been in relationships with very clingy people, who have threatened me in ways to spend time with them, instead of doing school work or hanging out with friends,” anonymous (‘24) said.

The Rizzler

Flirting, or “Rizz” for Gen Z, has become a hot topic everywhere. While it can be funny and entertaining, don’t boast about your flirtation skills.

If you want to sound a little silly, just refer to yourself as The Rizzard of Oz, Rizzasaurus Rex, the Boy who Cried Rizz, Rizzalicious, and The Rizzler. Don’t Underestimate Underwear

Next tip- don’t get dressed in the dark. Use that mental checklist to remember your socks, shirt, pants, and most importantly: your underwear.

One horror story demonstrates the importance of the most underrated undergarment.

“I went on a date with my ex’s best friend,” she (‘23) said. “We went ice skating, and I tripped and pulled his pants down. He wasn’t wearing underwear…I never saw him again.”

Clingyness can come in many forms, sometimes even harmless, but very unattractive.

You might think you are hilarious, but calling someone you’re interested in ‘Schmoopy’, ‘Wifey’, or ‘Boobear’ after only a couple of days isn’t cute, it’s weird.

Date Etiquette

There are a few simple ‘don’ts’ that will set you off on the wrong foot.

Being late to your first date

Paying little to no attention to your partner during a date

Ghosting them (are you that afraid of confrontation?) Bad overall communication. Degradation. Sarcasm is ok, but an excessive amount can cause insecurities.

Cheating isn’t date etiquette: just don’t do it. Holding the door isn’t necessary, but it is a bright green flag.

Consent!

A final important point, whether in a relationship or not, is to make sure you have consent. Relationships can get scary if consent is violated, and even dangerous under the wrong circumstances. Stop, means stop.

About 81% of women and 43% of men reported experiencing some form of sexual harassment and/or assault in their lifetime, according to the National Sexual Violence Resource Center. Dating is intimidating enough. One choice can lead to a lifetime of trauma. Be safe, and consider the opinions of your partner. If you follow these tips, your dating problems will cease to exist.

“Texting would be amazing since it would be an easy way to gradually break up if that was your situation,” Kershaw said. “I also think it would be awesome to not have to sit at home and wait for somebody to (maybe) call you. That was a nightmare and so stupid.” House phones used to be the only way for teenage couples to communicate with each other, so if the phone rang, anyone in the home could answer. Girls did not call boys.

“My parents would never have let me go out on a date with a boy (even if they had already met him before) unless he came in the house and said hello to them,” library assistant Kristy Anderson said. Without phones, her dates would have to go up to the door instead of texting her that they were outside.

“Usually a parent would be the one to answer the phone, so boys would have to say hello to the parents and then ask to speak to whoever they were interested in,” NFHS physical education teacher Robyn Stockunas said. Now, people can get calls on their personal phones, anytime and anywhere.

“I feel like the immediate access to technology has made the whole ‘rit-

“Another pro for today is the greater communication we have about our expectations and respecting each other’s rights,” Kershaw said. “There is more education about how to treat people respectfully and not cross boundaries without permission/consent.” Back when she was younger, there wasn’t much awareness about healthy vs. toxic relationships either. Now consent is taught much more in schools than it was in the past, and the number of people who value it today is huge.

Tyler Griffin, a social studies teacher, says he doesn’t really know how to judge dating now compared to when he was in high school because popular culture is a thing that changes over time inevitably. However, he occasionally sees teenage couples in different places at school.

“I see high school couples a lot of times on their phones when they’re with each other, which I think is wrong,” Griffin said. He feels that people should be present with people that they care about.

“In the halls I occasionally see couples holding hands or exchanging hoodies, which reminds me of when we were in high school,” Griffin said. “So some stuff has changed, but I think a lot has remained the same too.”

The ma n starting point for dating Young people no longer needed an escort, and could meet w th others freely

1950s

At this time, when couples were "go ng steady " the woman n the relationsh p would receive a piece of c othing and/or ewelry from the man

1970s 1990s 2000s

Couples became much less formal and they were ust able to be with one another without a major label.

The internet came along, and so d d onl ne dat ng The concept spread around the world very fast due to how much easier t made things Phones joined the party, wh ch helped younger couples not have their parents l sten to every word they say

SOURCED FROM The List and Analog