There are so many things to consider when you’re dating, so many thoughts swirling around in your head – well, we can get at least some of them out of the way and firmly settled in your mind. Now, what is perfectly all right to do and not to do without creasing your brow over it?

You haven’t been together for very long

Confessing you like him

You can brace yourself to tell him you like him, it’s not that hard, but it’s sooo nice! You can be the first about it, especially if you have been thinking it for some time already. You’ll know if he was thinking along the same lines, too.

Having to cancel arrangements

Life is unpredictable, and if some work commitments cropped up and you have to scratch off your plans together, he ought to understand it.

Expressing your wishes

You shouldn’t hesitate to speak out and state what movie you prefer, what place you like to eat in, where you want to go. He should respect your tastes. Besides, what is a better way to get to know your date?

Telling openly that you are having your bad days

You are not schoolchildren to make fun of the fact! He knows that you have your periods, it’s nature, so there’s nothing about it but nod in acceptance and get on with the conversation. But he may need to know it to understand that some things are uncomfortable to you today.

Inquiring for his sun sign

You are a morning horoscopes reader? Come out and ask him what his sun sign is. He will be pleased to know that you think of him as you pick your morning paper. But maybe you’re more into it and can draw his chart to see if he suits you?

You keep thinking of him

There’s nothing absolutely against texting him about it. He may be having you on his mind too. And that is an awfully nice text to receive!

Don’t hold back at games

If you come round to playing (anything, from cards to sports) you don’t have to ingratiate yourself by losing. If you’re strong at it, show it.

Saying to him you want to be on your own for a while

Everybody wants time away now and again, it should be perfectly understandable.

Mentioning your ex in passing

Only in passing: you don’t want to rub your ex into the guy’s psyche. Trying to make him jealous won’t get you anywhere, but when he starts asking about your travels or holidays, there’s no point in “forgetting” you had a boyfriend. He understands you had your bit of private life before he came along.

Leaving small items lying about in his apartment

Keeping some small items at his home for convenience – with his permission – is a natural thing to do, and it will be reminding him of you as he is into his own ablutions. Just don’t overdo it, making a warehouse of his apartment.

You have several months’ history together

Planning far ahead

The golden rule is not to plan events farther off than you have been together. Say you’ve been dating for four months, you received an invitation to a wedding two months away – if you want to turn up there with him, tell him about it. But if the event is more than four months into the future, leave the decision until later to be sure.

Discussing long term with him

This is a serious point that bears a discussion: tell him about your priorities and goals and have him expound on his. You must know these things as you are heading for a long relationship.

Doing small fixing jobs

Yes, it is he who is expected to fix minor problems, but who cares? If you can help him fix some trifling problem because you know how to go ahead and show him your prowess.

Posting your photos together on your profile on social sites

When you state definitely on Facebook that you are in a relationship you let everybody know that you officially have a boyfriend – and those who haven’t learned about it yet will be told by others! But if you stick a profile photo where you are with him, it will be a subtle way of hinting at the truth.

Taking him to meet your parents

It should be very interesting for the man who is serious about you to learn about your background, childhood lifestyle and influences. The prospect of coming face to face with your parents may be a bit unnerving – anyway, he ought to get through with it and come out alive!