Many "old school rules” that have been lost over the past decade have resurfaced and are applicable in today’s dating world. Feminine and masculine aspects are at play in relationships, regardless of male or female partners, and understanding them can help strengthen interactions.
Masculine Rules
Once mutual eye contact/interest has been established, take the lead by starting a conversation and obtaining a phone number. Do it in a way that is casual and sincere, never creepy.
Lead the cadence of communication and demonstrate your interest level with subtle text messages to build interest.
Ask the person out on a date in advance. Last minute asks are disrespectful and run the risk of a lost opportunity if other plans are already made.
Don't go longer than five days of texting without making an effort to see the person again.
Be respectful and do not try to advance the physical side of the relationship too quickly. If that's all you’re looking for, be transparent about that. Misleading someone is never OK.
Feminine Rules
Make eye-contact. Research shows this simple cue validates your interest to the other person.
Let them make the first move. If they don’t, take it as a sign that they are involved with someone else, not interested, or lack confidence.
Limit responsiveness to text messages. As an example, let them send the last text, only respond to messages that have an actual question, and do not text them more than they text you.
If after five days of texting they have not made plans to see you, assertively ask if they just enjoy texting or if they eventually ask people out. If they dodge the question, or still don't ask you out, stop responding.
Pay attention to their actions, versus their words, to determine if they are genuinely interested. Frequent texts, phone calls and compliments are meaningless if no effort to see you in person is made. If they keep making plans with you, they are still interested, if they stop making the effort, they are not as interested.
Rules for Both
Communicate openly and honestly. If you like the person, let them know specific reasons why, without going over the top. If they say or do things that rub you the wrong way, it is OK to let them know. By respectfully addressing issues right away, it shows that you are willing to communicate and are emotionally mature.
Maintain interest by playing a little hard to get. Even if you're both really excited about the relationship, temper that as much as you can at first and really get to know the person. Infatuation is such a fun feeling, but can quickly turn into hurt if one person reveals too much too soon and runs the other off. Enjoy the moment and journey without forcefully advancing the relationship, just based on your desires. Pay attention to the other person's actions and hold things back. These days with social media, people tend to know too much too soon. Try to keep the chase going as long as you can.
You might feel like this is game playing - and to some extent it is! But between my own experiences and research, when I follow the "rules," the relationships follow a healthier path. Following these rules also allows you to address red flags that come up. If you follow your gut and your heart and throw caution to the wind, you also ignore warning signs.