20 Outdated Dating Rules to Stop Following

Rules can limit your choices and your prevent you from growing. The same thing can be said in exploring relationships such as dating. That said, which rules actually make sense and which rules shouldn’t you bother with at all? Find out the 20 unhealthy dating rules that you should drop.

1. “Staying casual is better”

cottonbro studio on Pexels

In 2024, fewer people are into serious relationships and prefer to keep things casual. That’s because people’s fear of commitment is becoming more prevalent nowadays. This dating rule could lead to wasting each other’s time and your connection, which could have become more profound.

2. “Men should make the first move”

Emre Akyol on Pexels

Though this rule is becoming less common as more women make the first move, some people still want to keep this traditional practice alive. Don’t let the old dating culture pressure you, or you might miss out on your potential soulmate. To encourage you, some men would be more impressed to meet a bold woman with the confidence to make the first move.

3. Dress to impress

Mikhail Nilov on Pexels

First impressions matter, and that’s why there is pressure to wear your best outfit when going out on a date. But in 2024, more people have become less judgmental and open-minded about physical appearances. This means they’re more likely to care about your personality, not how stylish or elegant you look.

4. “If they want to, they will”

cottonbro studio on Pexels

This rule only creates an unfair setting for your date or any partner you’ll meet. You might set unrealistic expectations that the other person can’t fulfill. They probably have good reasons why they can’t meet your standards, and that’s why being considerate can help your date become a success.

5. “No one will love you if you don’t love yourself”

Pavel Danilyuk on Pexels

This rule only sends a message that people aren’t worthy of love just because they find it hard to love themselves. While it’s okay to prioritize your peace and stay away from damaged hearts, giving them a chance is not always a bad idea if they’re already working on improving themselves. Plus, your influence may even help them love themselves, making your potential relationship bloom into something more significant.

6. Setting a time limit to get to know each other

MART PRODUCTION on Pexels

“You must date each other for X number of years before getting engaged” — a common saying that the dating culture loves to preach. While the logic makes sense, it doesn’t apply to every relationship. So, if the connection is confirmed and your dating life has overcome many challenges, don’t waste your time waiting to fulfill a strict dating time limit.

7. “You’re not allowed to date until you’re fully healed”

Галина Ласаева on Pexels

Damaged people may have plenty of emotional baggage and could be challenging to date, but that doesn’t make them unworthy of love. Everyone has a chance to start anew, even those who are still in the process of healing themselves. As long as you can work together despite your struggles and grow as a couple, then don’t hold back from dating each other.

8. “Don’t chase, just attract”

cottonbro studio on Pexels

I get it — meeting the right person at the right time is romantic, but does that mean you’ll do nothing and wait forever? Remember, not everyone is lucky with fate, and you may never find the right person if you stay in the same place. So, to find love, you must also be willing to chase it.

9. “If you have doubts, then they’re not sure about you”

cottonbro studio on Pexels

When you’re still dating, having uncertainties about each other is normal. But just because you can’t see the whole picture doesn’t mean they’re not right for you. So, instead of jumping to conclusions, it’s better to communicate your doubts so the other person can clarify them.

10. Dating multiple people before committing to one

Boris Ivas on Pexels

Some say you should explore your options to have better chances of choosing the right one. While this sounds reasonable to others, this may cause you to treat dating like a game. You can’t just gather people interested in you and then toss them all aside once you think you’ve hit the jackpot; life and finding love don’t work that way.

11. “Don’t date someone with mental health problems”

Katerina Holmes on Pexels

Unfortunately, having mental health problems is often seen as a “red flag” in today’s dating scene. This is only a stereotype that doesn’t apply to every person you meet. As long as your date is honest with you about their mental health and they’re actively trying to get better, who’s to say they don’t deserve to be given a chance and find love again? 

12. Overanalyzing red flags that could mean nothing

Pavel Danilyuk on Pexels

The dating culture in 2024 is fixated on negative things, so people tend to overanalyze even normal scenarios. For example, you might think your date is a red flag just because they arrived a few minutes late; they were just stuck in traffic. While it’s okay to be extra cautious when it comes to dating, it’s still unhealthy to nitpick and expect perfection from everyone you meet.

13. “Have a backup plan”

Ron Lach on Pexels

This “backup” plan often refers to having a second option in case your first choice in dating doesn’t work out. Now, this is just a selfish act, which is almost no different from being unfaithful and cheating on someone. You can’t entertain one person while secretly having a reservation; this shows you were never fully open to commitment right from the start.

14. “Never date someone who’s the opposite of you”

Andres Ayrton on Pexels

They say you should only date someone who shares your personality, but have they forgotten that opposites attract? These silly dating rules may only keep you from finding the right match. That’s why you should follow your heart and not be afraid to date someone who’s the opposite of you; they might be the one to make you feel complete.

15. Being nonchalant

Loc Dang on Pexels

It’s 2024, and many young adults have normalized “being nonchalant.” They believe the more you show your love for someone, the faster they’ll get bored of you or take you for granted. This is a very negative mindset you don’t have to follow; express your love naturally, and your potential date may fall head-over-heels because of it.

16. “No communication with exes”

Andres Ayrton on Pexels

It’s expected that you will be wary of dating someone who may still be hung up on their exes, but expecting your date to have no communication with an ex can be extreme. What if they both ended on good terms but still had a reason to keep in touch as if they were going to the same workplace or college? Remember, someone truly into you will only focus on you despite their past relationships.

17. “The right one will do things without being asked”

cottonbro studio on Pexels

None of us are mind readers, and we can’t always guess what our date expects. You should eliminate this mindset and start learning to communicate your expectations and boundaries. Remember, even the “right person” might not enjoy guessing games with you because that could only be a waste of time.

18. “No chemistry means it’s not going to work out”

cottonbro studio on Pexels

Just because you don’t feel any chemistry doesn’t mean it won’t work out immediately; that mindset can doom you into being alone. Remember, it’s not always a magical instant connection like in romance movies or fairytales. Instead, you both need to take action to get to know each other properly before you can start feeling the sparks fly. 

19. Only dating people with great financial background

cottonbro studio on Pexels

Times are more complex than ever in 2024, and that’s why many people refuse to date someone they think is broke or has a history of being broke. But just like people who are recovering from their mental health problems, those who used to struggle financially don’t deserve to be judged for their past or their background. If you date someone just for their money, how can you guarantee you’ll genuinely meet the love of your life? 

20. “Men always have to pay the bill”

Photo By: Kaboompics.com on Pexels

Not everyone follows this rule anymore, which is a significant step forward, but some may still encourage you to keep this tradition alive. Since it’s 2024 and many changes have happened throughout the years, more women are now open to splitting the bill or even fully covering it if they’re the ones who asked for the date. Today, men don’t always have to abide by these traditional dating rules unless they insist.

• Tags:
• Dating
• Rules
• Relationships
• Romance
• love