You wouldn’t want to be stuck in a lift with whoever wrote the dating rulebook. Don’t act keen, don’t talk too much, don’t get drunk, don’t mention your ex, don’t mention your mum, don’t mention that your flatmate’s out and you could do with the company…in short, shut your mouth and keep your legs crossed. And you thought dating was supposed to be fun?
The good news is that many of our dating rules and taboos are better off broken…
Women asking men out
What the taboo says: Women like strong, assertive, go-getting men. Men like women who make them feel strong, assertive and go-getting.
Phoning them first
What the taboo says: No-one will want you if you let on that you like them.
Sex on a first date
What the taboo says: Put out on the first night, and they'll never respect you enough to fall in love. You've killed all the tension.
Older women dating younger men
What the taboo says: Women who date younger men are desperate, botoxed 'cougars' who couldn't keep a husband.
Cutting short a bad date
What the taboo says: Cutting short a date is the height of rudeness.
Dating a workmate
What the taboo says: Workmate passion leads to favouritism, jealousy, gossip and distraction.
Dating on the rebound
What the taboo says: You should forget about your ex completely before attempting to date anyone new.