ctxinfl Posted January 12, 2014 Posted January 12, 2014 (edited) So I'll getting back in to dating eventually. No real timeline. My recently ended relationship lasted 17 years, of which 11 was marriage. A lot has changed since I went on my last "date" at the age of 22. 1. Texting. How does texting affect dates? Has it replaced phone conversations? Do people who are very early in a dating relationship, say around the 1st or 2nd date, text each other little things, such as "Good morning!" Is it appropriate to ask that person if they are OK with phone calls? Phone calls were a given last time I did this, though not so much these days. 2. Kids. I have a young daughter and someone my age will likely have kids too. What is the etiquette here? I've no desire to parade someone around my daughter just as I don't want to be introduced too early to someone else's kids. Not that I mind kids; I just don't think they should be exposed to anyone that I'm not sure I'll ultimately try to make a life with. Should this wait until we're both in a committed relationship? 3. What is the status of giving little gifts early in the dating part of a relationship? Nothing major and probably not flowers, though some other small token. Thanks! Edited January 12, 2014 by ctxinfl
pyramid Posted January 12, 2014 Posted January 12, 2014 Texting/phone: it totally depends. There is always some texting just because it's convenient, and I've dated some guys who liked to talk on the phone almost daily, and others never wanted to. I'm flexible on this so it usually works out on its own. I don't like "mandatory" daily texts. Kids: my kid is 10 and knows that I go out and make new friends. I have introduced him to a few after a month or two, but spending time together is a different ballgame and that is reserved for someone who will be around a long time.. Gifts on the first few dates? Rarely. Flowers are weird. Something jokey could be fun (like when I first was chatting with someone I mentioned I liked gumdrops, so he brought some for me.)
sagetalk Posted January 12, 2014 Posted January 12, 2014 So I'll getting back in to dating eventually. No real timeline. My recently ended relationship lasted 17 years, of which 11 was marriage. A lot has changed since I went on my last "date" at the age of 22. 1. Texting. How does texting affect dates? Has it replaced phone conversations? Do people who are very early in a dating relationship, say around the 1st or 2nd date, text each other little things, such as "Good morning!" Is it appropriate to ask that person if they are OK with phone calls? Phone calls were a given last time I did this, though not so much these days. 2. Kids. I have a young daughter and someone my age will likely have kids too. What is the etiquette here? I've no desire to parade someone around my daughter just as I don't want to be introduced too early to someone else's kids. Not that I mind kids; I just don't think they should be exposed to anyone that I'm not sure I'll ultimately try to make a life with. Should this wait until we're both in a committed relationship? 3. What is the status of giving little gifts early in the dating part of a relationship? Nothing major and probably not flowers, though some other small token. Thanks! 1. No, use phone calls. 2. Don't expose your kids to them until well into it. You do not want a lot of dating partners coming in and out of their life. 3. I wouldn't unless you have known them a long time, but that is just me.
Author ctxinfl Posted January 12, 2014 Author Posted January 12, 2014 Thanks for the advice! Basically an affirmation of what I was already thinking, though it's been a while since I've rode this wagon.
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