25 Things You MUST Know Before Dating (As Told By A Wise Mom)

Never learn to clean a fish or you'll be doing it for the rest of your life. Slow down your walk, because if he doesn't open the door for you the first time, he probably never will

Or all your dates in one basket, until you're talking about the honeymoon in Jamaica.

If you're feeling like the wicked witch on the inside, your date will see it on the outside ... no matter how beautiful you are. 

... unless, of course, you want to be inauthentic. Inauthentic is the worst thing you can be when you're single (or a human).

Read an article about the way men think here. It will do you worlds of good. 

Or the last text. If he doesn't ask you a direct question, you don't need a response to a response. Please ladies, leave a little mystery.

Kudos to this one. You can be pretty, but don't let the smarts with your date become a competition.

I actually encourage this kind of writing, but if you really don't want anyone else to read it, keep it hidden, or get out the Zippo.

Light a candle. Not only will you save on your electricity bill, but the shadows will do you both wonders.

A bit of booze might take the edge off, but a lot of booze will make the toilet your new best friend.

If you trip on your way into the coffee shop, bring attention to it and have a good laugh about it.

You don't want a man to become your whole world, just a nice, tasty piece of it.

Need I say more? Just don't.

This is the most important piece of advice when you are single and dating. If you can't be yourself, then who can you be?

If he tells you he's slept with every other woman on the first date, don't believe him.

"OMG! Can you believe that Sally slept with Jamel after the first date?" Stay away from this kind of topic.

If you trust your heart instead of your brain you will be more emotionally available and vulnerable. This is a great path to follow. The path of love is much more fun than the path of ego.

A smelly or boring date is another chance for you to get clear on what you don't want.

There's no need to settle for a guy who is a great kisser but is lazy and wants you to be his mommy.

This means hair, make-up, and your brain. Don't over-analyze every little detail of your date. 

You don't need to be too sweet — like Stevia. As sweet as honey will do just fine.

Or boys will be boys. Whatever your current situation looks like: just stay in the present moment.

When you talk less, it means so much more when you do say something.

Keep the why-didn't-you-call-me-back-sooner-it's-been-27-whole-minutes on your television and out of your life.

If he texts you at 3 a.m. to "hang out," that is a set up for you to earn the booty-call title.