Do you have a list of dating rules?

If someone is open-minded enough to date me, I’m probably not going to be outstandingly picky about much else. I am deeply strange and carry a lot of baggage. If someone is truly accepting of me, I really don’t feel like I have the right to ask for a lot more.

I don’t really have rules but I have a list of 57 traits I want my SO to have and I’m sure the list will grow.

A few of them include good taste in cars, does not drink a lot, good taste in music and movies, loves animals, loves the outdoors, enjoys reading, opens doors for me, loves to sing even if its bad, will go to the store to get me tampons, motivated,doesn’t do the whole bar/club scene,is attractive but acts like he doesn’t seem to notice that he is, takes care of me when I’m sick ect.

I could go on and on but it would take awhile. My SO doesn’t have to have all of these qualities but a majority of them would be great!

I had a list for a while, but I realized that a lot of it was superficial and I always ended up dating the same kind of person. It’s more fun to be open minded and date all kinds of different people. So I don’t really have a set list, but I know a deal-breaker when I see it.

@mowens I wrote that list because it seems like every date I went on while living in Toledo was a nightmare. Here’s the shortened version:

1. I am your date, not your therapist. I want to get to know you, but not to that degree
2. Order the Steak. or whatever else you want, not what you think I think you should eat
3. If you feel like you need to give me a comprehensive list of your previous boyfriends, you can be damn sure I won’t let myself be added to that roster. If you’re still in love with your ex, why am I trying?
4. Put away the cellphone. I don’t mind if you’re taking a call or responding to texts on occasion, but if all I get is a few grunts between chirps, I’m not going to bother.
5. Be able to hold a conversation. Dumb isn’t sexy.

If they break one once, it’s not a deal breaker but warning flags do definitely go up. And most of it is for actual dates, not conversation.

@MacBean: Big Lurve for your response

My dating rules? Hmmn. Basically treat me as I treat you which means pay me more attention than your cell phone and I’ll show you the same courtesy. Actually, I rarely date, I don’t have the patience or trust for it. blah.

no cellphone
no past memories
no pets mementos
no weather chit chat
no dumb questions
don’t you dare to ask super personal stuff, that is… tacky…

Actually, I forgot this, but it is helpful if the person is ok with a few vices. I smoke and I drink usually two or so cups of coffee a day. I don’t get on other people’s case for their stupid unhealthy habits, and everyone has one or two. So all I ask is the same in return. :)

I’m not dating at the moment but when I do I think it will be a prerequisite, because I have a tendencies to start compromising on things I never thought I would…slippery slope of co-dependency hence why I’m not dating :-)

I don’t bring dates home on nights when my wife will be home.

I prefer my date to have a few flaws. It makes me less intimidated than if I was with this perfect person. I’m very accepting, unfortunately.

Naw, all my “rules” were strictly in my own head. No lying, I feel comfortable in conversations. That’s about it.

No lying
No cheating
No keeping ANY secrets from each other, we must tell each other everything
I from this point on will never date a cigarette smoker
No drinking heavily, maybe on special occasions or every once in a while
I would like them to be liberal with their views on children
can’t tell me what I can and can’t do, only make request or what they would like from me.
I like them to be open minded about mostly everything
they have to agree that spanking children is wrong, they have to truly believe and NEVER do it for ANY reason!!

I know my list seems long and may sound bad but my thing is that I need a very special person and these are what I need in a man, or else i would choose not to be with them. My fiance meets all of what I need out of my SO