Amanda Margozzi
amandamargozzi.md@gmail.com
Dating etiquette has certainly changed since the days of Jane Austen’s romance novels, but that does not mean chivalry is dead. Whether you are going on a first date this Valentine’s Day or taking out your boyfriend or girlfriend for the third Valentine’s Day in a row, remember these guidelines to have a successful holiday of love.
“A good Valentine’s Day date will pay for whatever we do on the date,” philosophy junior Erica Cruz said. “It is more unusual nowadays for the guy to always pay for every date, but at least on Valentine’s Day he should.”
Cruz said she has been in a relationship for almost four years and she and her boyfriend have a strict rule to not use their cell phones when they are together unless it regards homework or some sort of emergency.
“If you are texting a lot when you are together, then you are not enjoying each other’s company,” Cruz said. “I think it means that the spark is fading if you are more interested in being on your phone than talking with your date who is right next to you.”
English senior Veronica Flores said she plans to Skype with her long-distance boyfriend on Valentine’s Day since it is not easy for them to make plans to see each other on a weekday. This is their third Valentine’s Day as a couple but they have never been able to see each other to celebrate on the actual day.
“Skype is my best friend,” Flores said. “If it weren’t for modern technology, it would not even be possible for me to be in a relationship with my boyfriend who lives in Fresno. When we are Skyping, it is still important for me to have his undivided attention. It is always rude to text whether we are together in person or on Skype.”
Aside from keeping your cell phone in your pocket, Flores said it is important to keep in mind what the other person wants to do on the date.
“Do not downplay Valentine’s Day if it is important to her,” Flores said.
Computer engineering sophomore Joe Mahoney said it is important to try to look his best on a first date because it is bad dating etiquette to have poor hygiene or a sloppy appearance. He also said it is proper to ask his date where she wants to go for dinner.
“A good Valentine’s Day date would be to go to a nice restaurant near the beach and then walk around the pier,” Mahoney said. “When your date is talking at dinner, be a good listener yet try to participate in the conversation an adequate amount.”
Cruz said the success of a date cannot be predicted by the fanciness of the restaurant or the amount of money spent on the evening. She said it is more impressive to the girl if her date surprises her or does something special that proves he knows her well.
“Even if you and your date are still in the phase of getting to know each other, this is when Facebook really comes in handy,” Cruz said. “You can find out a lot about someone just by looking at their Facebook page and seeing their ‘likes.’”
Having information displayed about yourself on Facebook can be helpful to your date’s potential Valentine’s Day ideas, however, there are a number of ways social media can be harmful to his or her opinion about you.
“It is difficult to be secretive if you are constantly on Instagram taking pictures, ‘checking in’ at places and ‘tagging’ yourself with people on Facebook,” Cruz said.