True, chivalry is complicated. But as much as girls hem and haw over whether or
not they want you to pay or what they think of flowers, there are certain
classic things guys can do that girls truly do appreciate.

1) Pay.
This is a loaded topic for sure and it’s different in every situation, but the
truth is, paying for the first date will impress her — even if she offers to
pay. Believe it or not, one of the first things girls ask each other after a
date is, “Who paid?” “Oh,” her friend will say (if the answer is “we split it”),
and then she’ll inadvertently make a face like she ate one too many Sour Patch
kids. It takes away a little of she specialness if you go dutch. At the very
least, if she offers to split it, protest at least once. (If she truly insists,
then by all means let her pay.)

2) Tell the girl how beautiful she
is. This may sound obvious, but it’s easy to forget. Don’t do it in a
totally creepy, ingenuous way. Wait until your second and third date, and say
something really casual, like, “You know, I really can’t get over how pretty you
are.”

3) Plan dates. Seriously. It is unbelievable that this is
even a tip but it is something many guys do not do. Have a plan. Don’t walk
around trying to figure something out, get to a restaurant and realize you
needed a reservation, or wait to find out what she wants to do. Take
control.

4) Call, don’t text. If you do this I guarantee she will
say to her friend, “And he called me!” “He caaaaaalled you?!?!”

5)
Hold her hand. It’s sometimes more intimate than having sex.

6)
Remember something stupid that she says she likes and give it to her. What’s
that? She collects bar coasters? Grab an interesting-looking one for her the
next time you’re out with your buddies. She loves Diet Dr. Pepper? Leave her a
single can at her door when you leave her apartment. She loves grilled cheese?
Have all of the ingredients (all two of them) ready at your apartment to make
her a sandwich when you come home after the bar. It can be something small. Just
get creative.

7) Be cheesy and make her dinner. It doesn’t even have
to be good. Use real utensils, plates, and serve Prosecco. What the hell,
even light some candles. I’m serious.

8) Casually tell her nice things
you’ve told your friends about her. “I told Dan how hard I laughed when you
told me that story about your sister.” “I told Dan how good you were telling
stories, like that one about your sister.” “I told Dan how awesome your sister
is from that story you told me.” Whatever. Just tell Dan something nice about
her and then repeat that to her.

9) When she is naked tell her she is
hot. It’s just three words. Two if you make it a contraction. It will take
.5 seconds. She will remember it and feel more confident.

10) Take the
initiative to use a condom. This sounds weird, but almost no guys do this.
Get a condom without making her have to ask for one. She will tell her friends
how responsible and smart you are.

Phoner:  What "Old Time"
romancing rules do you still want him to follow?