My Awkward Dating Life: The Game

Break-ups suck, being single can be awesome but also awful, and meeting someone you might be interested in and having them be interested in you? That’s a whole other game in a whole other sport.

We can’t be single forever, although it is tempting sometimes, and eventually some guy is going to come along and ask you out for a date and you’ll say yes and you might even get your hopes up.

Last week I gave you advice on the first date, and now come the waiting games that take place after that first date, those events not included in the Winter Olympics but a favorite at the Dating World Cup.

Do I call or does he call? How long until he calls or will he call at all? Was he interested, was I interested? These questions can wrack your brain until you feel like you might go crazy, or at least mildly insane…

First off breathe, assuming it was a good date and neither one of you discussed the kind of flowers you want to have at your (you and him, not fictional husband) wedding you can assume you’re both still interested in each other. That being said, no one wants to come off looking too anxious, with that being said I personally do not feel that calling the day after always gives off the “hey, I’m desperate” feeling.

Now if you never hear from him then, oh well, move on to another guy, no harm done, after all if was only one date. If you do hear from him don’t assume you’re automatically a couple, you need to be on your guard. One movie and drinks, and a night spent talking and learning about each other does not a couple make.

In the days after the date, stay coy, even though games are annoying and repetitive, he’s most likely playing them, whether he knows it or not, so make sure to keep the playing field even.

Don’t come off too strong, keep online conversations fun and flirty if you’re interested and don’t get too personal. He doesn’t need to know how many men you’ve been with or how you don’t like the birth control you’re on, just like you don’t need to know about his single man behavior right away or how many women he’s been with. Those pieces of information are for later dates.

If it turns out you both really like each other take things slow. I just got off a bad break up and there is a guy I like but I’m proceeding with caution. If the date doesn’t go so well… well take a step back and wonder if it could have been partly you as to the demise of the date. If you’re just getting off a bad break up like I am, you may not be ready to get back out there, and that’s okay.

While dating isn’t a game always a game sometimes we think we have to play them to get what we want, and unfortunately there is usually a winner and a loser, so play fair and be competitive!