1. Don't pretend to be someone that you are not regardless of what you think your date wants. If you aren't off-the-wall funny or silly, then don't be. Don't be what you think they want because sooner or later one of you will get tired of being that person.

2. Make sure that your goal for the date is not simply to have sex with that person. Regardless of if it actually happens (after all we do live in a different age) if you are going in with that goal then you will do things and say things that you don't believe or don't accurately represent you.

3. Have rules from the beginning pertaining to who is responsible for transportation to and from where your date takes you. This may not ever be an issue, but say something went terribly wrong and someone wanted to leave, how do you get back home?

4. Be on your game as far as your personality goes from beginning to end of this first date. This is the most frightening of the dating rules to most people because it leads to the nerves, but it is for a reason. This is their first impression of you, what they will base the decision to continue dating or end things on, don't you want to put your best foot forward?

5. If drinking alcohol is absolutely unavoidable on your date make sure that you are being cautious and aware of what and how much you drink. Aside from obvious drunk driving concerns, this will make you look ridiculous in front of your date, not a good dating rule to break.

6. Don't play games with the continuation of the dating process if you are seriously wanting to continue the relationship after the first date. In other words, if you liked your date and want to see them again don't rely on other dating rules that define when you can call. If you like them, call them and see them again!

7. The above is if you actually promised to call, another big part of the dating rules is that if you promise to make a call...MAKE THE CALL. Don't promise to call if you have not intention of doing so. It is unfair and just plain mean.

8. Don't even go out on a date with someone if you are possibly in a situation that could be labeled as "seeing someone". This is a major one of the dating rules, it is not worth your time or theirs to go on a date if it will inevitably end with, "I'm kind of seeing someone right now".

9. If you are the driver on the date then be as calm and cooperative with the rules of the road as you possibly can, for the good of us all. There is nothing worse than someone trying to impress by driving fast and being angry, it is an immediate turnoff.

10. Movies are a convenient and popular area of interest for a date, especially early in a relationship because most everybody likes going to the movies. Listen to the dating rules and don't choose something extreme to go see, like it or not, see something mainstream and commonplace. In other words, "Forrest Gump" is a much better date movie than "Silence of the Lambs" or "Beerfest".