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1. Call me to ask me out, or ask me out in person. No text, no bbm. I have said yes to guys who have asked me out in those ways, but you are starting out 5 steps above if you call me. Bonus points if you ask me out in person, and follow up with a phone call.
3. If you ask, pay. Not because it's old fashioned, but because you may have suggested something that she may not have, if she had asked. I am in major debt, and if I ask the guy out, I would ask to make dinner, go for coffee, go to a free event, etc. Otherwise, I just get way too stressed about the money I'm going to have to spend on the date. If she offers, insist. If she doesn't offer, pay, and wonder what kind of a person she is.
Want some ideas? Here's a great article on the important things behind a date - the thought, and the experience. These are ways to get both (and in my opinion, more thought in these suggestions), without the high cost - especially for those of us who live in Toronto.
4. Feel weird about the paying scenario? The best moment in paying the bill I ever experienced, was a first date I went on with a guy (shy, only went on 3 dates, as he didn't do much else right). when the end of the night came, he said, 'if it's alright with you, I'd like to pay for this'. It was the perfect mix of asking, making sure I was ok, and being chivalrous. I was in awe. Every girl I told about it said to me, 'that's perfect!'. It was. Use it.
5. Pick me up. Whether walking, biking, driving, etc. I don't want to meet you there. That walk into the restaurant/bar is one of the most awkward moments in a date. If you arrive first, do you stand up, hug, kiss, stay seated? If you arrive 2nd, do you go for the hug, just sit down, etc? There's awkward look around, or the awkward sitting alone watching for someone to walk in. If you pick me up at my house, you are preventing this awkward moment from occurring. Then we get the trip to the location to talk, and get a bit comfortable.
6. Walk/drive me home. There should be no exception to this, and should require no explanation.
7. Never ever ever ever EVER pick a movie as date 1. Hell, rarely do I want to go to a movie on date 2! Impersonal, no time to talk, expensive, and awkward. Worst. First. Date. Ever. Just.... No.
8. Never ask me to dinner and a movie for our 2nd date. Exceptions: it's a cool indie movie or documentary about something I brought up in date 1; it's part of a documentary film festival only on during that time; it's an old movie playing one day in a big theatre; it's playing in a park, city centre, or library. If you insist on asking me to any of these exceptions, then ALWAYS include coffee or dinner in addition, so there is time to talk. I once even got coffee, movie, and then drink. Perfect way to approach a 2nd date indie movie date.
9. Make it obvious that we are going on a date. I have way too many guy friends to be able to tell if you are asking me on a date or not. I have even been known to ask flat out, 'is this a date?' So please, save me the embarrassment. I might even make the first move if you do.
10. Come to me. I used to date a guy who never came to my place - he always asked me to come to his place. Girls don't want to be your servant - we're a lot smarter than you give us credit for, and are entirely aware of why you want us to come to you. Make the effort, or we'll use you for the same reasons, and then leave you hanging.(also - despite the fact that this list mentions a ton of the same issues, I wrote mine, and only stumbled upon this one later... which just goes to show how true all of these things are. Pay attention!)
there are more. many. many. more. and this entry may garner more suggestions. what are your first, and subsequent date no-no's or rules? you could be featured in part 2!