I've had a few conversations lately that have convinced me that it's time for a refresher on The Rules. Please note: these aren't just my rules. This is a list that's been compiled as the result of many long discussions and a lot of people's bad experiences. Please note also that "That Guy" is a gender-neutral term; I know plenty of women, myself included, who have been That Guy at one point or another.
When
How
Where
Now these rules, like any rules governing human behavior, have some flexibility in them. If you've only been dating for a couple of weeks and never had any Serious Talk, then you can probably break a lot of these rules and get away with it. If you've been dating for years and had picked out china patterns, or even just if you're dating someone fragile, you'll be That Guy no matter how assiduously you follow the rules. The best you can do is try.
Posted by Susan at March 8, 2004 04:40 PMI can think of reasonable exceptions to some of these rules. Especially "Do not, under any circumstances, have someone else do it for you." I mean, if it's an abusive relationship, or even if you have reason to believe the person might get physically angry, I think it might be ok to have someone else make the call. Maybe.
I'm also at a loss to figure out where one would break up with a sensitive person who might cry. Should one rent a private (neutral) room for this purpose?
Not that I have any intention of needing to apply these rules anytime soon, I'm just curious.
Oh, and in case I sound too disapproving above, I should note that I found this entry both entertaining and educational :-)
Posted by: Heather Shaw at March 9, 2004 06:18 PMOh sure, there are always exceptions. And I'll admit that the place rules do leave you in a bit of a bind, but that's kind of the point--every one of those is based on multiple experiences had by people I know, and mostly it brings home the point that there's not a goddamn thing you can do right in some situations.
More practically, though, I don't know what's best. Quiet and not crowded public places? Break the telephone rule? It's tricky business, breaking up with people.
(oh, and since more than one person has asked: I haven't had to deal with any of these rules myself in a couple of years now. The people who have been breaking up recently, they are not me. But I do genuinely appreciate the concern.)
Posted by: Susan at March 9, 2004 06:38 PMI would add to these -- just disappearing, ignoring the other person until they go away.
Also, do not break up with another person by bringing the new person you are dating to a public place they will be.
I've witnessed both of these (mostly back in the bartending days) more than a few times.
Posted by: Bondgirl at March 9, 2004 07:37 PMInsanity is forgetting to believe a few lies.
Posted by: Boroson Bram at May 3, 2004 10:34 AMGratitude is born in hearts that take time to count up past mercies.
Posted by: Eakin Beth at June 30, 2004 12:45 PMI have found the best online store to
order Generic Viagra
Buy Generic Cialis
Buy Generic Lipitor
1199 You can buy viagra from this site :http://www.ed.greatnow.com
Posted by: Viagra at August 7, 2004 10:54 PM7582 Why is Texas holdem so darn popular all the sudden?
http://www.texas-holdem.greatnow.com
6050 ok you can play online poker at this address : http://www.play-online-poker.greatnow.com
Posted by: online poker at August 10, 2004 01:14 PM3798 you can buy tramadol online.
Posted by: tramadol at August 11, 2004 07:18 AM5106 Keep it up! Try Viagra once and youll see. http://viagra.levitra-i.com
Posted by: buy viagra at August 13, 2004 09:46 PMI have found the best site to:
order Viagra
order Levitra
order Cialis
1439 Get your online poker fix at http://www.onlinepoker-dot.com
Posted by: online poker at August 15, 2004 07:00 PM8357 black jack is hot hot hot! get your blackjack at http://www.blackjack-dot.com
Posted by: play blackjack at August 17, 2004 04:02 AM7588 so theres Krankenversicherung and then there is
Krankenversicherung private and dont forget
Krankenversicherung gesetzlich and then again there is always beer
7680 Its great to experiance the awesome power of debt consolidation so hury and consolidate debt through http://www.debtconsolidation.greatnow.com pronto
Posted by: debt consolidation at August 18, 2004 11:18 PMviagra uk at 19.08. 2004 08:48:42
Posted by: viagra uk at August 19, 2004 02:48 AM2354
http://www.exoticdvds.co.uk for
Adult DVD And Adult DVDS And Adult videos Thanks and dont forget Check out the diecast model
cars at http://www.diecastdot.com
into solo albums (and, I would add, side projects xenical / splinter groups), the results are rarely as satisfying, paxil whether or not you (as the listener) are expecting ambien the same music. I find that to be true. Another levitra thing that seems related to me: when the focus of levitra a band is several different songwriters writing cialis their own material and alternately using the rest soma of the band as back-up or as session musicians (and viagra even more noticeably when a band has initially been meridia
Posted by: fioricet at August 21, 2004 05:40 PM8437 check out the hot blackjack at http://www.blackjack-p.com here you can play blackjack online all you want! So everyone ~SMURKLE~
Posted by: blackjack at August 23, 2004 06:12 PMcredit cards uk are cool http://credit-cards.order.gb.com Tuesday 24 August 2004 21:52:13 and I also like Car hire at http://car-hire.order.gb.com and Diecast http://diecast.order.gb.com and Tuesday 24 August 2004 21:52:13 Dating http://dating.order.gb.com and Car Insurance http://car-insurance.order.gb.com Tuesday 24 August 2004 21:52:13
Posted by: credit cards uk at August 24, 2004 03:52 PM7875 check out http://texhold.levitra-i.com for texas hold em online action boodrow
Posted by: texas hold em at August 26, 2004 01:55 PM8640 Look at http://oncas.tramadol-web.com/
its the hizzy for online casino action any where!
Posted by: online casino at August 28, 2004 08:35 AMThese are the best pharmacetical sites ever!
order cialis
vioxx
Levitra
Buy cialis
buy viagra
Hey I have found the best pharmaceutical sites, take a look here!
http://www.buy36hourcialis.com
http://www.cialis-viagra.info/vioxx.html
http://www.levitra.africanviagra.com http://www.buy-cialis-247.com
http://www.buy-viagra-247.com
Thanks for a great site.
I have the best online store to buy Cialis
Posted by: Buy Cialis at August 30, 2004 11:51 AM1879 Hey man get it at http://www.onlinecasino-dot.com thats good s2hx. So play at this online casino and win big.
Posted by: online casino at August 30, 2004 09:12 PM1720 http://www.e-free-credit-reports.com cool eh?
Posted by: free credit reports at August 31, 2004 05:58 PM8126 online casinos can be
played here at http://online-casinos.freeservers.com
6530 here is the Tramadol http://www.rxpainrelief.net/tramadol.html Ultram
Posted by: Buy Tramadol at September 1, 2004 09:07 AM5116 hey ganny video poker great job
Posted by: play video poker at September 1, 2004 04:53 PM598 Did you know payday loans is the?
Posted by: payday loans at September 2, 2004 09:15 AM8058 Ever wanted tobuy viagra online ?
Posted by: buy viagra online at September 2, 2004 04:31 PM7044 Learn all about the best texas holdem here
Posted by: texas holdem at September 2, 2004 10:26 PM3382 talk about wiii is good texas hold em online playa
Posted by: texas hold em at September 3, 2004 11:45 AM8661 Learn all about the best merchant account here
Posted by: merchant account at September 3, 2004 03:16 PM6568 High risk credit card processing is fr
Posted by: credit card processing at September 4, 2004 02:58 AMPosted by buy viagra at 04.09. 2004 16:56:39 for http://www.viaga-viagra.greatnow.com
powered by Viagra UK at http://www.car-hire.greatnow.com
and diecast model cars from http://www.diecast.greatnow.com
04.09. 2004 16:56:39
Posted by: buy viagra at September 4, 2004 10:56 AM2259 Try new online pokerwww.onlinepoker-i.com
Posted by: Play Poker at September 4, 2004 03:21 PM5892 High risk online pokerwww.poker-w.com
Posted by: poker online at September 5, 2004 03:11 PM6450 Thanks so much for all the help to buy ink cartridges
Posted by: inkjet cartridges at September 5, 2004 06:49 PM8836 http://www.fioricet-dot.com fioricet
Posted by: buy fioricet at September 6, 2004 08:07 AM5211 check out the tramadol online
Posted by: tramadol at September 6, 2004 05:40 PM3984 http://www.slots-w.com click here to play Slots online
Posted by: slots at September 7, 2004 02:37 PM905 High riskmerchant account thanks
4910 http://www.video-poker-w.com play video poker online.
Posted by: Video Poker at September 8, 2004 10:45 AM6876 get high riskinternet merchant accounts account
fast and furious 3 http://fastandfurious.order.gb.com on 10.09. 2004 02:21:30 by Buy http://buy.order.gb.com 10.09. 2004 02:21:30 Payday Loans http://payday-loans.order.gb.com
Posted by: fast and furious 3 at September 9, 2004 08:21 PM6349 http://www.briana-banks-dot.com for Briana Banks movies. or if you would rather diecast here.
Posted by: Briana Banks at September 10, 2004 02:52 AM7874 really nicely done. i hope all works well in timefree credit report
Posted by: free credit report at September 10, 2004 07:41 AM6926 http://online-poker.order.gb.com heres is the place to play online poker for real dough.
Posted by: online poker at September 11, 2004 03:00 AM5288 http://online-casino-w.netfirms.com check out this online casino for some action.
Posted by: online casinos at September 11, 2004 08:33 PM334 play texas hold em online for real money. http://onpak.tramadol-web.com
Posted by: Texas hold em at September 12, 2004 02:23 PMNice site also visit Tramadol site.
Posted by: Tramadol at September 12, 2004 05:29 PM1003 http://www.texas-hold-em-w.com online card room for texas hold em for your pleasure.
Posted by: texas hold em at September 14, 2004 01:33 AMPayday loans http://payday-loans.order.gb.com 14.09. 2004 19:47:37 Credit Cards http://credit-cards.order.gb.com 14.09. 2004 19:47:37 Loans http://loans.order.gb.com 14.09. 2004 19:47:37 Mortgages http://mortgages.order.gb.com 14.09. 2004 19:47:37 Credit http://credit.order.gb.com 14.09. 2004 19:47:37
Posted by: payday loans at September 14, 2004 01:47 PMPayday loans http://payday-loans.order.gb.com 2004 September 14 20:49:36 Credit Cards http://credit-cards.order.gb.com 2004 September 14 20:49:36 Loans http://loans.order.gb.com 2004 September 14 20:49:36 Mortgages http://mortgages.order.gb.com 2004 September 14 20:49:36 Credit http://credit.order.gb.com 2004 September 14 20:49:36
Posted by: payday loans at September 14, 2004 02:49 PM7260 Very interesting poiuntsmerchant account for your pleasure.
Posted by: merchant account at September 15, 2004 04:56 AM6033 http://cialis.levitra-i.com good site to buy Cialis online.
Posted by: buy cialis at September 16, 2004 12:20 AMThe best online casino gambling at online casino on the net
Posted by: online casino at September 16, 2004 03:56 PM5429 http://viagra.web-cialis.com visit us to buy Viagra online.
Posted by: Buy Viagra at September 16, 2004 07:40 PM5565 http://texas-holdem.order.gb.com play for real money at texas holdem for gaming action.
Posted by: texas holdem at September 17, 2004 11:03 PM7110 Z - thanks for teh wonderful iunsightcredit repair
Posted by: credit repair at September 19, 2004 08:06 AMsweet online casino bonuses at the best online casino resource
Posted by: online casino at September 20, 2004 12:38 PM1330 http://www.roulette-w.com click here to play roulette online.
Posted by: Roulette at September 20, 2004 08:49 PMhttp://www.creditcards-gb.co.uk
http://www.loanwize.co.uk
http://www.rentals4all.com
Buy Viagra
Posted by: viagra at September 22, 2004 12:07 PMBuy Cialis
Posted by: cialis at September 22, 2004 12:57 PMhttp://debt-consolidation.find.us.com/
Posted by: debt consolidation at September 23, 2004 02:08 AMBuy Cialis
Posted by: cialis at September 23, 2004 06:37 PMZithromax online antibiotic.
Posted by: Zithromax Online at September 24, 2004 04:54 AMI like getting emails from people I know, makes me feel better every morning.
Posted by: teen sex at September 24, 2004 06:39 AMAdult Web Cams
http://adult.web-cams.us.com/
Adult
http://adult.web-cams.us.com/
Web
http://adult.web-cams.us.com/
Cams
http://adult.web-cams.us.com/
Awesome sentiment! I totally agree with you!
Posted by: fleshlight at September 26, 2004 04:26 PM2360 http://www.online-poker-big.com check out this online poker site!
Posted by: online poker at September 27, 2004 10:01 AMWhile I realise I maybe be out of the topic, I just found an incredible lyric site featuring hundreds of thousands of lyrics.
If you wanna bring back some happy memories you should stop by to lyric lovers.
4950 http://www.casino-games-i.com click fro casino games online.
Posted by: casino games at September 29, 2004 01:11 PM3775 http://www.texas-holdem-now.com play texas holdem here!
Posted by: texas holdem at September 30, 2004 12:28 PM4723 http://www.casino-online-i.com the best online casinos on the web.
Posted by: online casinos at September 30, 2004 03:29 PMWerke http://www.sonderpreis.de.com/cat_books_de_1075688/Buecher_Kategorien_Fachbuecher_Germanistik_Autoren_Tabori_Turrini_Tucholsky_Kurt_Werke.php
Uhland - Urzidil http://www.sonderpreis.de.com/cat_books_de_1075692/Buecher_Kategorien_Fachbuecher_Germanistik_Autoren_Uhland_Urzidil.php
Uhland, Ludwig http://www.sonderpreis.de.com/cat_books_de_1075694/Buecher_Kategorien_Fachbuecher_Germanistik_Autoren_Uhland_Urzidil_Uhland_Ludwig.php
Uhse, Bodo http://www.sonderpreis.de.com/cat_books_de_1075696/Buecher_Kategorien_Fachbuecher_Germanistik_Autoren_Uhland_Urzidil_Uhse_Bodo.php
Ullmann, Günter http://www.sonderpreis.de.com/cat_books_de_1075698/Buecher_Kategorien_Fachbuecher_Germanistik_Autoren_Uhland_Urzidil_Ullmann_Guenter.php
Ulrich von Etzenbach http://www.sonderpreis.de.com/cat_books_de_1075700/Buecher_Kategorien_Fachbuecher_Germanistik_Autoren_Uhland_Urzidil_Ulrich_von_Etzenbach.php
A woman does not want the truth; what is truth to women? From the beginning, nothing has been more alien, repugnant, and hostile to woman than the truth - her great art is the lie, her highest concern is mere appearance and beauty.
Posted by: male masturbation at October 1, 2004 12:33 PMEvery man takes the limits of his own field of vision for the limits of the world.
Posted by: penis enlargement at October 1, 2004 02:39 PM163 http://www.play-poker-i.com
Posted by: http://www.play-poker-i.com at October 1, 2004 03:57 PMPersonals
http://adult.personalads.us.com/
personalads.us.com
http://adult.personalads.us.com/
Personal Ads
http://adult.personalads.us.com/
Free Personals
http://adult.personalads.us.com/
Click Here
http://adult.personalads.us.com/
adult personal ads
http://adult.personalads.us.com/
free personals
http://adult.personalads.us.com/
6023 http://blackjack-w.netfirms.com blackjack can now be played online!
Posted by: blackjack at October 3, 2004 11:53 AM3775 Very well said http://e-debt-consolidation.netfirms.com
Posted by: http://www.e-debt-consolidation.netfirms.com at October 3, 2004 03:10 PM2672 http://craps-w.netfirms.com check craps online here.
Posted by: Craps at October 4, 2004 03:30 AMInformation on Amoxicillin
Posted by: Amoxicillin at October 4, 2004 10:36 AM5875 http://www.caribbean-poker-web.com very fun
Posted by: play caribbean poker at October 5, 2004 03:42 AM8150 How can this all be right? Check out my site http://www.pai-gow-keno.com
Posted by: pai gow at October 5, 2004 01:58 PM7503 Very well said in the first place! http://www.online-poker-net.com
Posted by: online poker at October 7, 2004 06:36 AM8863 http://slots-online.fateback.com play online slots here.
Posted by: slots online at October 7, 2004 12:54 PMCialis information site.
Posted by: Cialis at October 8, 2004 03:03 PM2321 http://harley-parts.ownsthis.com motorcycle parts harley parts harley davidson parts
Posted by: harley parts at October 10, 2004 04:28 PMAstronaut (With Bonus DVD) http://music.lowcost.us.com/item_4230303032583539314b/Astronaut_With_Bonus_DVD_Duran_Duran.php
What I Do http://music.lowcost.us.com/item_42303030324e5252594d/What_I_Do_Alan_Jackson.php
The Girl In The Other Room http://music.lowcost.us.com/item_423030303134384b4b32/The_Girl_In_The_Other_Room_Diana_Krall.php
Taking a Chance on Love http://music.lowcost.us.com/item_42303030324a50344b30/Taking_a_Chance_on_Love_Jane_Monheit.php
Revolution Starts Now http://music.lowcost.us.com/item_42303030324951485636/Revolution_Starts_Now_Steve_Earle.php
Plays Ennio Morricone http://music.lowcost.us.com/item_42303030325943565849/Plays_Ennio_Morricone_Yo_Yo_Ma.php
3377 http://www.texas-hold-em-i.com play texas hold em online here.
Posted by: texas hold em at October 12, 2004 08:11 AM2050 well said ol' boy!
Free Sex Cams
http://web.sex-cams.us.com/
Adult Webcams
http://web.sex-cams.us.com/
Web Cams
http://web.sex-cams.us.com/
3046 http://slots-online.fateback.com/roulette.htm
online roulette
Posted by: roulette at October 13, 2004 02:17 AMThe real question is not whether machines think but whether men do.
Posted by: fleshlight at October 13, 2004 02:32 AM7368 http://www.e-texas-holdem.info
texas holdem
Posted by: play texas holdem at October 13, 2004 07:45 PMbuy cheap valium online with no prescription at http://www.valium-10mg.com. valium, buy valium, valium online, valium side effects, valium tablets, valium tablet, valium picture, buy valium online, generic valium, valium effects. valium diazepam, cheap valium, valium overnight, valium prescription, cheap valium, valium diazepam, valium pharmacy, roche valium, valium xanax, online pharmacy valium, valium prescription without, valium on line, order valium, purchase valium, valium for sale, order valium online, valium 10mg, online purchase valium, no prescription valium
Posted by: valium at October 14, 2004 01:28 AMbuy cheap valium online with no prescription at http://www.valium-10mg.com. valium, buy valium, valium online, valium side effects, valium tablets, valium tablet, valium picture, buy valium online, generic valium, valium effects. valium diazepam, cheap valium, valium overnight, valium prescription, cheap valium, valium diazepam, valium pharmacy, roche valium, valium xanax, online pharmacy valium, valium prescription without, valium on line, order valium, purchase valium, valium for sale, order valium online, valium 10mg, online purchase valium, no prescription valium
Posted by: valium at October 14, 2004 02:34 AMbuy cheap valium online with no prescription at http://www.valium-10mg.com. valium, buy valium, valium online, valium side effects, valium tablets, valium tablet, valium picture, buy valium online, generic valium, valium effects. valium diazepam, cheap valium, valium overnight, valium prescription, cheap valium, valium diazepam, valium pharmacy, roche valium, valium xanax, online pharmacy valium, valium prescription without, valium on line, order valium, purchase valium, valium for sale, order valium online, valium 10mg, online purchase valium, no prescription valium
Posted by: valium at October 14, 2004 03:24 AMbuy cheap valium online with no prescription at http://www.valium-10mg.com. valium, buy valium, valium online, valium side effects, valium tablets, valium tablet, valium picture, buy valium online, generic valium, valium effects. valium diazepam, cheap valium, valium overnight, valium prescription, cheap valium, valium diazepam, valium pharmacy, roche valium, valium xanax, online pharmacy valium, valium prescription without, valium on line, order valium, purchase valium, valium for sale, order valium online, valium 10mg, online purchase valium, no prescription valium
Posted by: valium at October 14, 2004 04:19 AMbuy cheap valium online with no prescription at http://www.valium-10mg.com. valium, buy valium, valium online, valium side effects, valium tablets, valium tablet, valium picture, buy valium online, generic valium, valium effects. valium diazepam, cheap valium, valium overnight, valium prescription, cheap valium, valium diazepam, valium pharmacy, roche valium, valium xanax, online pharmacy valium, valium prescription without, valium on line, order valium, purchase valium, valium for sale, order valium online, valium 10mg, online purchase valium, no prescription valium
Posted by: valium at October 14, 2004 05:16 AMbuy cheap valium online with no prescription at http://www.valium-10mg.com. valium, buy valium, valium online, valium side effects, valium tablets, valium tablet, valium picture, buy valium online, generic valium, valium effects. valium diazepam, cheap valium, valium overnight, valium prescription, cheap valium, valium diazepam, valium pharmacy, roche valium, valium xanax, online pharmacy valium, valium prescription without, valium on line, order valium, purchase valium, valium for sale, order valium online, valium 10mg, online purchase valium, no prescription valium
Posted by: valium at October 14, 2004 06:08 AMbuy cheap valium online with no prescription at http://www.valium-10mg.com. valium, buy valium, valium online, valium side effects, valium tablets, valium tablet, valium picture, buy valium online, generic valium, valium effects. valium diazepam, cheap valium, valium overnight, valium prescription, cheap valium, valium diazepam, valium pharmacy, roche valium, valium xanax, online pharmacy valium, valium prescription without, valium on line, order valium, purchase valium, valium for sale, order valium online, valium 10mg, online purchase valium, no prescription valium
Posted by: valium at October 14, 2004 08:54 AMSeasonale online site.
Posted by: Seasonale at October 14, 2004 09:42 AM3593 http://www.e-texas-hold-em.com
texas hold em
Posted by: texas hold em at October 14, 2004 10:35 AMThere can be no other truth to take off from than this: I think, therefore, I exist. There we have the absolute truth of consciousness becoming aware of itself.
Posted by: penis enlargement at October 15, 2004 05:05 AMThere is no great genius without some touch of madness.
Posted by: penis enlargement at October 15, 2004 05:07 AMGeneric Fioricet online site.
Posted by: Generic Fioricet online at October 15, 2004 12:07 PM6201 http://www.rapid-debt-consolidation.com
consolidate debt
Posted by: debt consolidation at October 15, 2004 07:37 PM4564 I agree wholeheartedly. Good thing I run a home based business
Posted by: home based business opportunities at October 15, 2004 08:55 PM