Phineas Mollod and Jason Tesauro

Every remotely civilized man knows that under the table texting, or worse, interrupting the evening’s chitchat with your embarrassingly juvenile ring tone is less than endearing. But what about the more subtle rules of dating conduct? Should you show up fashionably late? Is it in bad form to take a woman to your favourite budget eatery? Here, seven ways to show her you’re a perfect gent.

Don’t be fashionably late
Meeting your date at the bar, cafe or restaurant? Forget the 10-minute late rule: Showing up a few minutes early is always best. During the five-minute prelude, shuffle to the loo so you can dab a sweaty brow, fix a stubborn cowlick, and ditch any last-second nerves. Even better, try to score a prime table, then create atmosphere by ordering sparkling water and pre-loading the jukebox with cool tunes. This beats the alternative of arriving in an unkempt flurry with a pocketful of excuses.

Let her order anything
While a choice spot enhances the mood, you needn’t go into debt to successfully woo. Want to turn her off? Grimace at the high prices on the menu and silently calculate whether you can afford dessert. Also off-putting: Suggesting you just get appetizers, or, gasp!, are an entr