Actually, even though it’s called the dating game, the game playing is something I feel quite passionate about, especially as it is responsible for most of the rules we have on the thread (I’m thinking 2,3,4,5,6,7 and 8).
From my perspective, if I’m seeing someone (in any context really) it’s because I’m genuinely interested in them as a person (I wouldn’t be seeing them if I wasn’t – I’m not that kind of guy), so why would I want to mess with their head? It just doesn’t make any sense, does it?
If I want to know more about them, to discover their core values, I will ask probing questions, lead conversations to the areas I want to know more about and connect with them in a meaningful way.
Likewise, if I am interested in them, why would I want to hide that fact? Maybe, just maybe, it could be perceived as some kind of neediness but why would I wait three days or whatever after a date to make contact with someone I actually liked, just to provoke some feeling within them that would throw them off guard/make them keener to see me or whatever the thinking is behind that?
Do unto others as you would have them do to you. Guard yourself if your emotions could be impacted but otherwise be yourself, be open and be honest and you will, typically, attract the same in the people you meet.
Bit of a rant I guess, and typed quickly so probably complete junk too, but it’s something that really bother me.
And, to be completely fair, it’s something both sexes do. I can almost understand it in younger, inexperienced people but at my age? Neither men nor women should be testing anyone, beyond perhaps making sure they are not a psychopath or other type of danger.
Dating should be fun, not a game in the purest sense in which people are pawns in someone else’s’ attempt to get checkmate in their intellectual chess game.