Just because you met each other at Talk 121 using your smartphone, doesn’t mean your new date wants to watch you texting, emailing and answering other chats during your dinner out. According to modern dating phone etiquette, most people these days would consider it rude to go out on a date with someone only to watch them checking their smartphone the whole time! If you are having an emergency in which you need to check your phone – like a family health emergency – it might be a better idea to reschedule the date, especially if it is with a brand new person. Otherwise, you can ask the person if they would be OK with you checking your phone periodically throughout the date, and if they’re not OK with it, again, rescheduling is the best option.
Remember, when you go out on a date, you’re there to talk to another person face to face. Give that person the best chance to get to know you, the real you. Texting and talking to other people on the date is not the way to do this. The way to do this is with eye contact, engaging conversation and making sure that you are actually listening to what the other person has to say. Let them get to know you, not the ways in which you use your phone. If you absolutely must check your phone on a date, at least wait until your date goes to the bathroom!
If you really want to have a successful date that leads to another one, you need to show that you’re a respectful person who really wants to listen to what another person has to say and follow dating phone etiquette. Your phone will always be there, but if you check your phone too much during a date, the chances are, that person won’t be back!
