Teenage Dating Etiquette
The hard and fast rules of courtship are no longer as firm as they once were, which can make dating and proper dating etiquette hard to identify. For teenagers who are just getting into the world of dating and romance, it's important to use common sense when dating so that you set good habits for later.
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Time
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Time is one of the biggest concerns with dating. The two people involved need to set times that work for both of them and to make sure that any changes are communicated. If there's a time change or you're going to be late, call in order to tell the other person. Even if you're just going to be a little late, call.
Rules
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Teens have to deal with many rules that older daters don't have to. For instance, if your area has a legal curfew, you should keep that in mind. Also, if one or both teens have rules set by parents, those rules should be respected. It sets good precedent and forms good habits if you respect the rules that other people ask you to follow when going out on a date.
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Ask First
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Teenagers are usually just getting started dating, and dating is often a way to test for sexual compatibility. It's important that teenagers, filled with hormones and eager to experiment, stay in the mindset of ask first. Whether it's a kiss or something more, it's important that both participants know what is desired and what isn't to avoid any misunderstandings.
Be Considerate
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It's important for teen daters to be considerate of one another. For instance, if one is old enough to smoke, then it's always a good idea to ask if the smoke would bother your date before you light up. The same applies to music you play in the car and what movie you decide to see. Make sure that you take the other person into consideration.
Money
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Who pays for the date is always something to take into account. Traditionally, the guy pays, but traditions have changed. Usually the person who asks is the person who is expected to pay. If you're not sure, make sure that you bring enough money to cover your part of the date. Even better, figure out who's paying before hand if possible.
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References
- Photo Credit teen romance image by .shock from Fotolia.com
