Nowadays, the rules of dating are not so much a structured, definite protocol; they are viewed more as expectations. As much as the feminists out there want to deny it, the men carry the burden of chivalry. While it is not mandated that they open doors for us or pay for our coffees, when a man asks to split the bill, or goes days without calling, us women tend to over-react. The rules are simple: in a monogamous relationship, no cheating! Duh. Some of the more vague rules are waiting 48 hours after a first date to call the girl, but not a full 72 hours, because that may be misconstrued for the man not caring. Dating rules are not etched in stone, and they revolve around the individual's comfort zone. When should you leave a toothbrush? How soon is too soon to say "I love you"? If I meet her mother now, will she expect a proposal? Communication. It not only determines the rules, but it is the rule.
The rules of dating were not something that was randomly invented by some preaching man on the corner of a dilapidated road hundreds of years ago: the rules have been passed down through word of mouth from generation to generation, evolving from different religions, cultures, and races and blending into such a mixture of notions and concepts that it is so easy for the average person to get confused by it all. I believe that dating comes simply from trial and error. We learn, we conform to the rules that have worked for us and our peers, and we either succeed, fail, or move on. We invent the rules every day.
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