but I have dated some men that have taken aloofness to a whole new level. Oddly, when I didn’t respond by doting on them some of these fellows were genuinely surprised.

I am not one for playing games. “The Rules”? Never read ‘em. And while I don’t want to de-romanticize the art of Courtship (it’s fun...and important!) I do want to share an alternative perspective. Some “do’s and don’ts”, if you will.

• Do offer to pick her up
• Don’t suggest that she take a bus to meet you somewhere
• Do make it clear that it’s a date
• Don’t ask her if she wants to go with you to Jiffy Lube

• Do tell her she looks nice
• Don’t comment on another woman’s “rack”
• Do hold her hand
• Don’t walk two paces ahead of her as if you’re not actually with her
• Do laugh if she says something funny
• Don’t pretend to be indifferent if you really like what she’s saying

• Do give her a kiss goodnight
• Don’t slow down in front of her house and yell “later!” as you pull away
• Do call her the next day to thank her
• Don’t wait a week to call simply so she won’t think you’re too into her

• Do thank her
• Don’t give her the cold shoulder on the drive home
• But don’t feel the need to call her. She probably had a crappy time too.

There is nothing wrong with letting a woman know that you are having a good time, that you think she’s gorgeous, that you want to see her again. She is not going to run screaming because she thinks you like her too much. Be you, be honest. Playing it cool probably works for some, but it can also work against you. And wouldn’t it be nice if women were open too? Wouldn’t it be nice to know that a woman liked you so that you would feel free to call her again and ask her out? How much easier would that be than trying to read someone’s mind? If you don’t want to have to read a copy of “The Rules” so that you understand The Game, maybe try creating a new game.

There are plenty of women who would be happy to throw out their copies on the next bon-fire with a little extra room.