The Rules of Dating: Romance, Chivalry, and Love.

Valentine's Day is around the corner. Some of us have someone; some of us don't. Whether you're in a relationship or not; whether you have a Valentine's or not, there are questions that we all need to ask ourselves when it comes to the game of Love.  

How many of us know how to display love and affection to our partner? How many of us are romantic or believe in romance? How many of us practice chivalry? How many of us expect or want chivalry from our partner? Is chivalry something of the past? 

How many of us know what a date is? Is a date sitting at home watching Netflix? Is a date having a cup of coffee at Starbucks? Is a date dinner at a five-star restaurant? Is a date a walk in the park or on a pier? Is a date at a drive-through movie?

The way you expect to be treated is based on how you perceive your self-worth. The way your partner treats you is based on how that person values you. If you value your self, you will not settle for less. If your partner valued you, the effort to shower you with the best would be there.

Valentine's Day shouldn't be the only day when you receive flowers, a card, candy, or chocolate. Valentine's Day shouldn't be the only day when you go out for dinner, or see a movie. Valentine's Day shouldn't be the only day when you feel special. 

These things should be done frequently in a relationship.

Looks DO Matter!!

"Looks Do Matter" when you're a Black Male.

We use our eyes to see. We notice a person with our eyes more than anything. Appearance. That's what captures our interest in a potential mate -- the way that person looks. When we go on a job interview, we make sure that we look our best; it plays a part in getting the job.

It's obvious that looks do matter. If looks don't matter, then why do women wear make up? Why do women wear apparel that accentuate their assets? If looks don't matter, why are there mirrors? 

Whether we want to be noticed or not, looks play an important factor in our daily lives. Before anything, we are noticed for the way we look. Looks are important when seeking employment. If you don't look a certain way, chances are, you won't get the job. Looks are important while at the work place. Most places of employment -- unless you work in a tattoo parlor or something of the likes -- have rules regarding appearance and hygiene. 

Looks are impressionable. Your first impression is your last impression. This is why we invest much of our time keeping up with our appearance; we don't know who we are going to bump into and it would unfortunate if we looked shabby and it wasn't laundry day.

So for anyone to think that looks don't matter, those individuals need to reconsider their perspective on the matter. Before you notice a person's personality, you notice how the person looks. Before you notice a person's qualities, you notice how the person looks. 

I'm not going to say that looks don't matter. I'm not going to say that everything should be based on looks, either -- it does help when a person is easy on the eyes. In any event, looks play an important factor; therefore, looks do matter. 

If looks didn't matter, why do we have a preference when it comes to dating? I'll tell you one thing -- when I'm in a shirt and tie, I am noticed more than when I am not.