Modern Dating Tips That Every Man Needs to Know

It's hard to deny that dating before the internet was vastly different compared to how it is now.

In fact, "dating" wasn't even the most common term then. Many people called it courting or having a love affair. Some preferred the terms "wooing" or "pursuing" a woman, which further highlighted the more active role men used to have when it comes to romantic relationships.

Now that modern dating has changed the game and somewhat leveled the playing field, it can be tricky for men who are still following traditional dating rules and practices. Not only will they have a hard time catching the attention of women they like, but their sincere intentions can also be misinterpreted.

So if you're one of those guys who either want to learn more about how technology has affected romance or just can't make heads or tails of what the kids are saying whenever they talk about love, then perhaps these tips are what you need.

Modern Dating Life

Some of the biggest things that modern dating has brought to the table are speed, convenience, and equal opportunity.

In an article by the Association for Psychological Science published in their online magazine Observer, it's stated that the modern world gave people two new ways to find love: speed dating and online matchmaking.

Instead of spending months or even years getting to know one person at a time, you can now meet dozens of fellow singles in one day. Instead of going on physical dates or traveling to faraway places, it's now possible for you to bond with someone over the internet and even have a professional relationship consultant help you identify the woman you're most compatible with.

Moreover, a lot of people would also claim that the divide between men and women, as well as between different races, have started to blur. Women are already free to pursue men, and you don't have to limit yourself to only the people in your area for your dating options.

With modern dating, gender roles are now a thing of the past and love can transcend even the borders between countries.

Is it true that modern dating sucks?

Despite all the aforementioned benefits, some people still think that modern dating is toxic and especially unfair for men.

It's true that because of gender equality movements, some women can have unrealistic expectations of men. They can also see traditional dating standards like being a gentleman as offensive and patronizing.

What's more, technology can backfire and take away the sincerity and personal connection that are vital in relationships. Computers and algorithms can end up deciding who is best for you instead of you making that decision yourself.

But even though these concerns are valid, they are mostly a result of people misunderstanding modern dating.

Allowing women to have a more active role in romance doesn't mean that they're better than men. The internet and online dating are also just tools that you can use to make your dating life easier. They shouldn't dictate who you should love and be with.

To avoid these misconceptions and incorrect stereotypes, it's important to have the right perspective.

Is it necessary to understand modern dating culture?

You don't have to know everything about how dating works today.

But it's incredibly useful to have a good grasp of the basics, especially those about where to start and how to successfully communicate your intentions. After all, it's more than just you not looking like a fool or upsetting a lady.

According to Dr. Wendy Patrick, a lawyer and behavioral analyst, awareness of modern dating preferences can help you have "a more successful approach to mating," which is really the point of the whole thing.

Modern Dating Terms and Concepts

Language matters when you're trying to get to know someone and form meaningful connections.

To make sure you and the woman you're seeing are on the same page, you need to educate yourself on some of the dating jargons and ideas that are prevalent today.

• Online Dating

This simply means dating using the internet.

Often shortened to its acronym OLD, online dating is the most popular example of a modern dating practice. Anyone using dating apps and websites or availing international dating services is taking part in online dating.

• Red Flags

These refer to warning signs that can tell you if someone is not a good choice for a partner.

For example, red flags that you should look out for when dating women include excessive jealousy, materialism, and hatred of men.

If someone tells you that a certain trait is a red flag, then you should look closely if that trait is related to other qualities that you don't want your future girlfriend or wife to have.

• Situationship

A situationship is when you're more romantically involved than friends, but are not committed to each other as lovers.

This may be okay if your goal is casual modern dating, but it's not ideal if what you want is a long-term and committed relationship.

To avoid getting stuck in a situationship, it's best to have the same expectations and discuss exactly what you are to each other.

• The Honeymoon Phase

The early stage of a romantic relationship where everything is intense and passionate is called the "honeymoon phase."

It can last between a couple of months to a few years, and while it may seem like your happiness is endless and your partner is your soulmate, getting too lost in each other can result in disappointment and heartbreak if you don't ground yourself in reality.

• Rizz

A slang term for "charisma," this is a quality you want to have in order to attract the women you like. It's often a combination of physical appearance, confidence, and sex appeal.

A "rizzler" is someone with a lot of charm and charisma, one who has little trouble navigating the modern dating world.

Modern Dating Rules for Guys

After learning about hip dating terms to relate to younger people and actually understanding the advice of contemporary relationship experts, it's time to find out how to behave as a man in today's modern dating market.

Lucky for you, there aren't a lot of rules to remember. When it comes down to it, there are three major things you need to keep in mind:

1. It's okay to consider more options.

Unlike before when you can only give attention to one woman at a time, you can now talk to multiple ladies as long as you're not yet committed. It's not a violation of loyalty.

Of course, you still have to avoid entertaining too many people, or else you'll run the risk of choice overload, which is something professor Liesel Sharabi warns everyone about in her article on Psychology Today.

But when it comes to modern dating, you don't have to settle for less. You can get to know more than one person to determine who you like most and who is really compatible with you.

2. You can take advantage of modern technology.

There's also nothing wrong with taking shortcuts.

You don't have to spend a lot of time and resources if you can do things more efficiently. If you want to meet a woman from another country, you can first look for her online before deciding to book a flight and see her in person.

If you need to be apart from her, there are also plenty of ways to handle a long-distance relationship with modern technology.

The new tools at your disposal will not cheapen the quality of your love. When used properly, they can help you find the best of it.

3. Chivalry is not dead.

Lastly, "old" doesn't mean dead and "new" doesn't mean best.

Just because you need to learn about modern dating doesn't mean you have to turn your back on everything traditional. When meeting and getting to know women, being a gentleman is still the best way to go.

This means respecting and taking good care of her. Because if you're lucky, you might find a lady who will love and respect you just as much.