First Sign to Decline...

I have been noticing that my friends are being asked over to guys apartments to "hang out" instead of on an actual date. When you are just getting to know a guy and he invites you over, that is not a date... I repeat, not a date. Instead this is a first sign to decline. A first date is the typical going out for lunch/dinner or to the movies... not 'let's hang out on my couch and watch tv.' Inviting you to go to a party he is going to, however, is a first step to him testing whether or not you are interested, but again is not a date. 

Any woman should expect more from a man then a hang out session at his place. He has friends he can hang out with, not his potential girlfriend. The girls I have talked to feel frustrated that men are considering that a date and personally, I would too. Now more than ever a formal date is a romantic notion, and thoughtful as well. This says not only a lot about how a guy feels about you, but how he intends to treat you. When a man puts effort towards courting you he will most likely do the same for the future relationship. Also, by inviting you over to his place it should cause you to question his intentions and how he views you.

Now I understand that some men do not have the finances to afford a 5 star restaurant, but they will make the effort if they are a respectable guy. If they can spend money on the weekend to go out with 'the boys' then they can use that money to take you out to dinner/lunch instead. Even after the first date they still should be taking you out, no exceptions. If they are broke they can make sandwiches they normally would eat for lunch and have a picnic in the park with you or take you to lunch instead of dinner to save a few bucks.

A man takes you out on a date, a boy invites you over to hang out at his place. Just saying...

"As long as you know men are like children, you know everything!"
— Coco Chanel

Think Twice About Every Piece of Advice

Every where you look people are giving out advice like samples in a mall's food court. Now I do believe that many people have great advice to share, however, check your source or at least think twice about who you are listening to.

As women we watch shows and see movies and directly compare them to our own lives, as if we are living the life we are seeing. The truth is we all have lived different experiences and have relationships that are unique. It is not fair for us to think just because our favorite celebrity is taking yoga classes and becoming a vegan that we would benefit the same way they are from living that lifestyle. More realistically speaking, our friends are not always the best to give advice either. Yes, it is the sad truth of many friendships. Even if this sounds cruel it is critical to analyze your friends. If you always think hmm they do not judge men very well or ehhh I am not sure why they think those shoes look good with that outfit. This is normal, so just remember what you agree with most about your friends. Whether you love their fashion, or the confidence they exude take those qualities and listen to advice in those subjects. Understand that I am not trying to say not to listen to what they have to say, but always remember the life you are living and what is best for you.

Even this blog, for example, you may read something you do not agree with or feel differently about. That is what makes you, you. Read, watch, listen to many things and take something from everything as it applies to you.

"The shoe that fits one person pinches another; there is no recipe for living that suits all cases."
-Carl Jung