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Topic: The "3 day" rule...
Mark's photo
Thu 09/23/21 08:09 PM

A couple of quotes -

“The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation.” - Henry David Thoreau

Words I live by, to me he was saying most of us hide our feelings in fear of exposing ourselves.


“Of all the liars in the world, sometimes the worst are our own fears.”
— Rudyard Kipling


Another good one, fear is the usual suspect with anger or misunderstanding, communication is key, don't be afraid to say you're afraid..


Those aside -

In my opinion the "3 day rule" is a silly, erroneous notion, given that the first steps in a relationship will likely depict the future "norms" within that relationship, should dampening your feelings be the correct way to start?

I personally think not, of you strike a note with someone, show it! Be fearless!






Dramatic Muffin's photo
Thu 09/23/21 08:40 PM
Edited by Dramatic Muffin on Thu 09/23/21 08:41 PM
I agree, I think the 3-day rule is old-fashioned, and I'm not sure how many people actually follow it. If I have a great date, I would like to be called/texted the next day. I also enjoy if they text me a little while after the date to make sure I got home safely (which, IMO, is really just an excuse to resume talking and to make sure that both people are on the same page about the date's success). If someone enjoyed spending time with me, I like to know that. I don't want to play games and wait around. I also don't necessarily feel the need to wait for the other person to initiate the call/text.

Larsi666 😽's photo
Fri 09/24/21 02:37 AM
First time, I hear about the 3 day rule.

But to quote Homer Simpson: A lie always needs two people. One who tells the lie, and one who believes in it" bigsmile

SparklingCrystal 💖💎's photo
Fri 09/24/21 04:02 AM
I don't know what the 3 day rule is supposed to be?

Riverspirit1111's photo
Fri 09/24/21 04:21 AM
Edited by Riverspirit1111 on Fri 09/24/21 04:23 AM

I don't know what the 3 day rule is supposed to be?



I didn't either, had to google it. It's a dating rule that says you should wait 3 days after the first date to call or text each other. The idea behind that is so you don't appear too eager and it gives you a chance to explore your feelings about the first date.

Seems silly, if a man made me wait 3 days to hear from him after the first date, I probably wouldn't speak to him again.


SparklingCrystal 💖💎's photo
Fri 09/24/21 05:14 AM


I don't know what the 3 day rule is supposed to be?



I didn't either, had to google it. It's a dating rule that says you should wait 3 days after the first date to call or text each other. The idea behind that is so you don't appear too eager and it gives you a chance to explore your feelings about the first date.

Seems silly, if a man made me wait 3 days to hear from him after the first date, I probably wouldn't speak to him again.

Thank you for enlightening me, haha.
I think my reaction and feelings would be the same as yours. I don't like childish games, certainly not in matters of romance & love.

Dramatic Muffin's photo
Fri 09/24/21 05:56 AM


I don't know what the 3 day rule is supposed to be?



I didn't either, had to google it. It's a dating rule that says you should wait 3 days after the first date to call or text each other. The idea behind that is so you don't appear too eager and it gives you a chance to explore your feelings about the first date.

Seems silly, if a man made me wait 3 days to hear from him after the first date, I probably wouldn't speak to him again.




Yep. Or I'd make him wait three days for my reply, telling him we are not compatible.

Slim gym 's photo
Fri 09/24/21 06:51 AM
Never thought much of that rule ....
If I did set up a meet and greet , it was solely based on a mutual attraction or connection. If that went well , I would make the first date .... from there on out , it would just be a whirlwind romance or a full stop , depending on how that first date went .... at this age games are for the kids ...
Having said that ....if the date turned out good , i' d drop her home and call or text her an hour later .... checking if she was ready to go for breakfast ha ha !!!!

TxsGal3333's photo
Fri 09/24/21 08:03 AM
Lmao... at my age if they wait three days to call me if the date went good it is a strike against them.. To me that is childish.. But then if the date went good I would actually expect the second date to be made prior to ending the first date..

Due to normally you will know if you want to get to know that person more on the first meet.. It don't take me three days to figure out if I want to get to know them a bit more.. whoa

Coldersky's photo
Fri 09/24/21 09:28 AM
Well let me say this I dont let any grass to grow under my feet, yes i herd of the three day rule it's not for us working women, I don't CHEAK my messages every minute, sounds like someone sitting by the phone, Coldersky minus the halo, I'm out doing good deeds,:angel:🧸🧸❤❤

Mark's photo
Fri 09/24/21 12:08 PM

Absolutely psyched by the responses here!

It is, without question, a foolish way to start a relationship, effectively your first move forward is to play a game, to pretend you didn't enjoy the time with that person.

While I get the "It's smart to think things over" aspect of it, this mentality immediately promotes the wrong sentiment toward someone you might be initiating a long term relationship with.

Hiding your feelings (over insecurity), that's not how I want to start any relationship.

no photo
Fri 09/24/21 02:45 PM
Like others here I have never heard of this rule .. so was curious about its origin . Most indicators are it was linked to a movie in the 1990’s called “ swingers” ... A group of young men at a bar encourage a recently single mate to ask a woman for her number . He emerges successfully lol and the discussion begins on how long he should wait before calling ..

http://youtu.be/DU3Pk6oDNRU the rules about calling are towards the end of the clip

And this when he attempts to call her ...

http://youtu.be/JV-m9bJTrh8

Obviously a very influential movie at the time :wink:

Seems the 3 day rule was more about calling someone you hadn’t yet dated .

Either way .. it is easy to understand the psychological barriers , self doubt and uncertainties some people endure when it comes to dating and attraction . Such barriers are often
grounded in how people internalise experiences and feelings , rather than manipulative psychological mind games . Context is important . Not everyone is confident.

What is clear to me .. if you like someone romantically it is important to be honest about feelings and intention , to show interest and work on building a connection rather than destroying it playing tactical games. Romantic interest can die in three seconds biggrin waving







Mark's photo
Sat 09/25/21 12:40 PM

Like others here I have never heard of this rule .. so was curious about its origin . Most indicators are it was linked to a movie in the 1990’s called “ swingers” ... A group of young men at a bar encourage a recently single mate to ask a woman for her number . He emerges successfully lol and the discussion begins on how long he should wait before calling ..

http://youtu.be/DU3Pk6oDNRU the rules about calling are towards the end of the clip

And this when he attempts to call her ...

http://youtu.be/JV-m9bJTrh8

Obviously a very influential movie at the time :wink:

Seems the 3 day rule was more about calling someone you hadn’t yet dated .

Either way .. it is easy to understand the psychological barriers , self doubt and uncertainties some people endure when it comes to dating and attraction . Such barriers are often
grounded in how people internalise experiences and feelings , rather than manipulative psychological mind games . Context is important . Not everyone is confident.

What is clear to me .. if you like someone romantically it is important to be honest about feelings and intention , to show interest and work on building a connection rather than destroying it playing tactical games. Romantic interest can die in three seconds biggrin waving





Excellent response, the EXACT intent of my topic!




motowndowntown's photo
Sat 09/25/21 01:01 PM
Three days???

I heard it was three weeks.

Now I know why I never get a second date.

dust4fun's photo
Sun 09/26/21 06:15 PM

Like others here I have never heard of this rule .. so was curious about its origin . Most indicators are it was linked to a movie in the 1990’s called “ swingers” ... A group of young men at a bar encourage a recently single mate to ask a woman for her number . He emerges successfully lol and the discussion begins on how long he should wait before calling ..

http://youtu.be/DU3Pk6oDNRU the rules about calling are towards the end of the clip

And this when he attempts to call her ...

http://youtu.be/JV-m9bJTrh8

Obviously a very influential movie at the time :wink:

Seems the 3 day rule was more about calling someone you hadn’t yet dated .

Either way .. it is easy to understand the psychological barriers , self doubt and uncertainties some people endure when it comes to dating and attraction . Such barriers are often
grounded in how people internalise experiences and feelings , rather than manipulative psychological mind games . Context is important . Not everyone is confident.

What is clear to me .. if you like someone romantically it is important to be honest about feelings and intention , to show interest and work on building a connection rather than destroying it playing tactical games. Romantic interest can die in three seconds biggrin waving









The 3 day rule was definitely invented before the '90s, and when you mention "swingers" I am definitely not thinking about dating, that is generally an orgy or couple swapping. Pretty sure the 3 day rule was mentioned in "About Last Night" in the '80s, they covered it pretty well, and I knew about it from other places too, so it has been around for a long time. But remember that was when you had to go home or find a pay phone and hope they had an answering machine or picked up. It was nothing like today with cell phones and texting. It was designed so they guys did not come off as too desperate, and generally woman would not make the first, or second move. Maybe we do need to slow down and think about something's sometimes, everything is so rushed nowadays.

no photo
Sun 09/26/21 06:33 PM


Like others here I have never heard of this rule .. so was curious about its origin . Most indicators are it was linked to a movie in the 1990’s called “ swingers” ... A group of young men at a bar encourage a recently single mate to ask a woman for her number . He emerges successfully lol and the discussion begins on how long he should wait before calling ..

http://youtu.be/DU3Pk6oDNRU the rules about calling are towards the end of the clip

And this when he attempts to call her ...

http://youtu.be/JV-m9bJTrh8

Obviously a very influential movie at the time :wink:

Seems the 3 day rule was more about calling someone you hadn’t yet dated .

Either way .. it is easy to understand the psychological barriers , self doubt and uncertainties some people endure when it comes to dating and attraction . Such barriers are often
grounded in how people internalise experiences and feelings , rather than manipulative psychological mind games . Context is important . Not everyone is confident.

What is clear to me .. if you like someone romantically it is important to be honest about feelings and intention , to show interest and work on building a connection rather than destroying it playing tactical games. Romantic interest can die in three seconds biggrin waving









The 3 day rule was definitely invented before the '90s, and when you mention "swingers" I am definitely not thinking about dating, that is generally an orgy or couple swapping. Pretty sure the 3 day rule was mentioned in "About Last Night" in the '80s, they covered it pretty well, and I knew about it from other places too, so it has been around for a long time. But remember that was when you had to go home or find a pay phone and hope they had an answering machine or picked up. It was nothing like today with cell phones and texting. It was designed so they guys did not come off as too desperate, and generally woman would not make the first, or second move. Maybe we do need to slow down and think about something's sometimes, everything is so rushed nowadays.
swingers was the name of the movie .. and definitely about single men .. no orgies or swapping lol.
Totally agree dust ... technology was not as advanced and much slower decades ago . I doubt the three day rule is given much credit now .. at least by the younger generation . With an abundance of dating apps , social media and instant connectivity ...a slow response may in some situations leave the door open for rivals . Obviously personal beliefs about dating are also a factor . some focus on getting to know one person at a time , others polydate .. I made that word up lolwaving

no photo
Tue 09/28/21 12:47 PM
3 day rule? maybe when I was 15, now there are no set rules

James Darrel 's photo
Tue 09/28/21 06:29 PM
I didn't either, had to google it. It's a dating rule that says you should wait 3 days after the first date to call or text each other. The idea behind that is so you don't appear too eager and it gives you a chance to explore your feelings about the first date.

Seems silly, if a man made me wait 3 days to hear from him after the first date, I probably wouldn't speak to him again.

apparently a childish and erroneous believe, who says you cant have a happy ending because of eagerness after first date. it's just best to keep the momentum after first date and enjoy

mikaxel80's photo
Fri 10/01/21 09:08 PM

First time, I hear about the 3 day rule.

But to quote Homer Simpson: A lie always needs two people. One who tells the lie, and one who believes in it" bigsmile

:thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup::clap::clap::clap:
On another note, what do you think tomorrow's score will be? Reverse from last season's 4-1?

phoebetbh's photo
Tue 10/05/21 03:54 PM
Well, I think if you like someone, it's better to tell instead of waiting for 3 days. Chemistry might be still good, wait too long probably another person feels that you might not interested and already cool down a bit. Just like people nowadays like to use Tinder, because it's fast...So no 3 days rule for me

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