You are a wise wise woman Isabella! Very good advice, and I expecially like #10 and the "You're not headed on a Carnival Cruise so leave the baggage at home" line. :) Very sage advice. Keep it coming.

Can I add one thing to this list? After the date, I hate it when guys only text message. They ask you out a second time over text message. Please pick up the phone!!!

Great "do's and don't" Isabella!

The contents of the statuesque bottle have slowly slipped away as the elongated arm of time has made nearly two revolutions on the wall clock. The plates have been cleared, coffee politely declined and the waiter appropriately rewarded for understanding the value of timing. The jagged outline of the exposed brick wall starkly contrasts with the simple lines of a smile. A hand that nervously brushes away bread crumbs fails to conceal the excitement contained within twinkling eyes. Your mind races forward. One last sip of wine, a short frigid walk along an icy cobblestone street and we reach the end. A connection has been established, common interests established and an unexplainable nervous excitement has made its presence known. But for all that has been accomplished, it’s in parting that true intentions are revealed. For its not in how you say hello that matters most, it’s how you convey goodbye. A perceived lack of conviction, an awkward advance or a clumsy overture can easily erase all that had been created. Embrace the feelings of a racing mind and a pounding heart, but keep a clear mind. A simple embrace, signifying thanks and understanding leaves each party with a closure that satisfies today and fuels the anticipation of tomorrow.

Girl...I hear that. Wow...you should write a book and then hand out pamphlets that every woman must read before entering an establishment...a quick reminder of who they are, what they want and what they will not stand for, and most importantly how valuable they are and it is NOT dictated by some strange guy who has no idea how amazing they REALLY are.

How is one with such a poor track record aka "single longer than most people I know" qualified to dole out dating advice as if a guru on the subject?

Hi Confused! Thanks for the comment. Do you have some dating advice that you could add? What are your dos and don'ts?

Hi Isabella,this is sort of off topic, but reading your dating rules made me think of something I've been wondering about lately. What is the dating etiquette for the ever-classic "can I buy you a drink?" line? Is it okay to accept a drink if you have no interest in the drink buyer? (most specifically if you have a significant other and are in it purely for the free booze)

OMG! This is the best list ever!! I am sending this to all my girlfriends! Keep it coming Isabella

Very wise...but i have a couple things for the guys. Men, i love it when a woman can eat - but if she orders steak on the first date on your dime - she's no keeper. Second - pay for the first couple times but after that remember this... times have changed...the rules are whoever asks the other to do something foots the bill. If the chick doesn't want to pay now and again then she doesn't really care about you and is not the nurturing person you are going to want her to be later on. And that's the way i live

Hi Caitlyn! Thanks for the question. I think that anyone tha toffers to buy you a drink has already decided to do so and that you should not feel like it creates an obligation on your part. So accept the drink, say thank you and don't think twice! If they have bad intentions that's their problem, not yours.

To confused: I would think someone who has dated more than others would have much more experience in that area and therefore would be qualified to dispense advice. Just like someone who has lost weight would be someone I would want dieting advice from. If it were "relationship" advice, then maybe not. But if you've spent more time dating and been on many dates, you can certainly speak intelligently on the subject.

If I could, I would just like to throw this out there for texting rules: Don't text until after the third date. On the first text, kindly inform them that you do not text until after the third date. This leaves them two options: They will pick up the phone and CALL you or they will think that actually picking up the phone to have an intelligent conversation is too much work and move on, in which case saves you the time deciding whether he's worth it. By texting before that third date, you set the precedent that it's ok to talk via text instead of the phone. Sorry guys. I'm not going to make it that easy for you. :)

See, I don't mind communicating through text messages at all. A lot of men seem to prefer it, and as long as there is some kind of meaningful communication ('u r hot' doesn't count) then I'm fine with it.

I am totally with Isabella though... there is no greater turnoff than someone who will text or take calls in the middle of a date. That is a delabreaker for me as well.

I have to say that all of these suggestions are very sound and reasonable. Very nice! Good work Isabella! I happen to love text messaging. If you want the guy to pick up the phone and call, then I would just tell him. Don't expect anything from anyone else, girls and guys. Just be honest about what works for you. If you want the guy to call, then if he texts you, respond in the text...can you call me? Or talk about it the next time you see him. Texting is the present and future...I don't think a guy is being disrespecful by texting. I have had many guys more than willing to call if that's what I suggest. So, just suggest it! Don't judge that they are being rude by texting after a date. It's just our time. xoxo