Men and Dating - Series 1 Episode 3

The Boy Scout Law (Part 1) -

Ever since I was born, just about, my parents have been leaders in Scouts (I think they were finally released when I was about 14 or so). I learned a fair amount, although I've forgotten most of it. What I didn't forget was that my brothers learned a lot of useful skills I was jealous of. And too, that Boy Scouts teaches boys how to be men. Here are my thoughts on the Boy Scout Law and how it can EASILY be applied to dating.

A scout is Trustworthy, Loyal, Helpful, Friendly, Courteous, Kind, Obedient, Cheerful, Thrifty, Brave, Clean and Reverent.

A scout is Trustworthy. Never break your word. People in general are upset when you break your word and girls are no exception. They want someone they can trust, not someone they have to watch out for every second they are with them.

A scout is Loyal. Whether or not you are serious with a girl, when you go on dates with her, be loyal to her. Don't be flirting with a waitress or talking about other girls you think are cute. Listen to her and be there for her. This is the same whether you are just friends with a girl and hanging out or if you like her and are dating her.

A scout is helpful. Girls love it when guys offer to help them, even if they won't admit it. A lot of girls (ok, most of them) like to think they are independent, and might even be so, and like to do things themselves. However if a guy offers to help in such a way that he lets it be known that he's offering it as equals, then the girl can be free to not get offended. (Yeah, I know. Some girls will still be offended.) Don't give the girl the impression that you think she's incapable of doing something herself. This on is a tricky thing for guys these days what with all the feminism stuff going on, but at the very least DON'T BE UNHELPFUL. Always be willing to help when she asks you and let her know that she CAN ask you for help. With some girls, that's the most you can do.

A scout is Friendly. This one kind of goes without saying but I'll say it anyway. If you want a girl to like you or even be your friend, you have to be friendly. Teasing is fine, in a friendly way. That is one thing that my little sisters are always complaining to me about. (Well, sort of complaining. We'll just go with that word for it and hope they don't kill me.) Guys have a tendency to be mean to them about little things and they don't get mad about it, but they do get annoyed and they certainly don't end up crushing on the guys that do that.

A scout is Courteous. To me, this means you need to be a gentleman. Open doors for the girl. Complement her. If you're going on a date with her, she probably spent a good amount of time getting ready for it (even if this is just relative, like in my case) and if she didn't spend a lot of time (like in my case), she'll feel even better if you complement her. Walk between her and the street. Pull out her chair for her at dinner. Every chance you get, show her you know how to treat a girl right. (For me details, probably more than you would care to read, see Episode 2)

A scout is Kind. Be kind to her. Be especially kind to family. Be kind to people she knows bugs you or that you don't like. If ex-girlfriends come up in conversation (a touchy subject, to be sure), don't talk negatively about him. Be cautious though. If you go on and on about their virtues or things you miss about them, she'll get the wrong idea. But if you talk negatively about them, she might think "will I be the next ex he talks like this about to the next girl?" and, trust me, you don't want that thought to enter her mind. Just be kind to her. Compliments that just border on flattery, but don't quite go there as long as they are sincere, will get you everywhere.

I think that's quite enough for tonight. In part two, I will finish talking about the Boy Scout Law. Guys, just kind of use this as a guideline and I for one will be very grateful even if I'm only observing your dating attempts. Girls, LET THE GUYS BE GENTLEMAN!!! Let them show you respect.

~Rose