Remember those times when your parents would sit you down and impart their wisdom about dating, using a blend of recommendations that seemed both confusing and timeless? "Be a gentleman," they 'd say, or "Always let her order first," echoing the vintage etiquette policies they followed in their youth. While their intents were rooted in care and tradition, the dating world has progressed, and sticking rigidly to their policies might not serve you well. In truth, authenticity frequently trumps adherence to a rulebook; if you act exclusively according to somebody else's descriptions or a dusty old dating manual, you might find yourself in a quagmire of miscommunication and awkwardness.