As a 25-year-old female who has been single for the majority of my 20s, I feel I have earned the right to say that modern-day dating is about as fun as diving into a pool of thumbtacks. With your eyes open. Naked.
It’s a game. And not a fun game like Scrabble or Monopoly. It’s more like that game from the movie Saw, where innocent victims have to decide between two forms of torture.

"I want to play a game". ^^^ This guy is legitimately better looking than most guys I've dated. Image via Lionsgate.
At least in Saw the rules of the game are clearly outlined; like cut off your own foot or shoot yourself in the eye. A fictional mass murderer might actually have more respect for humanity than ruthless, single twenty-somethings...
But after a number of years, I've established some dating commandments. Ahem;
i) Thou must never appear angry when blown-off at the last minute. Remember, people are busy, and you are not very important. Reply something like "haha, no worries!" when your date bails (while also banging your head against a brick wall).
ii) Thou shalt pretend that thou does not possess any feelings/emotions for at least the first six to 12 months of the 'relationship'. No one wants you getting all 'human being' on them too early... (eww)