Rules for getting, giving, and using phone numbers

The following are the rules for getting, giving, and using phone numbers:

• If you want a number, ask and be willing to offer your own. _ If you don’t want to see the person again, don’t ask for a number and don’t give a number.
• If you’re not sure, build a time frame into your response so that nobody is sitting around waiting for you to call.
• Exchanging phone numbers is the fun, easy part, so relax a bit and don’t get too involved before you’ve even had a first date. It’s not worth the stomach acid.
• Calling and hanging up is not okay; neither is driving by. All states now have anti-stalking laws, and they are enforced.

Playing games can get you into serious trouble, so don’t be silly here. Plus, caller ID has made hang-ups traceable. You don’t need police on your doorstep as part of your dating experience. In a nutshell, a phone is quicker than pony express, less traumatic than a telegram, more personal than e-mail, more fun than smoke signals, and the first major step toward moving from strangers to something much bigger and better.