What are some Must Know tips for dating?

They don't owe you anything. Not sex, not a kiss, not a hug, not a second date, not even a smile. If the date goes well, you will get some or even all of those but if you try to force them, you will get nothing. Sure it can be disappointing if you put in a lot of effort and get nothing back but you will have to live with that. Sometimes people just aren't compatible and sometimes a date just goes wrong because of a weird coincidence.

Be nice, even if the date doesn't go as you wanted. Open communication goes a long way and chances are that the person you're talking to is just as insecure as you are. Explain (not accuse) why you don't think this situation will work out. If you're lucky, you can turn the conversation around. If not, at least you're ending the date in a civil way. That also (and especially) applies to talking on online dating platforms. Sometimes you can tell just from a conversation that things won't go anywhere. Way too many people just drop the conversation and move on which can feel pretty rude. Be nice, explain what's up, give them a friendly goodbye and then move on.

Those rules apply to both sides. You don't owe them anything either, especially if they get rude. You should still try to be friendly in case there is a misunderstanding but try to get yourself out of an uncomfortable situation before it gets worse. Your safety is still priority number one.

Edit: some more

Don't expect a relationship to last. Chances are it won't. But this isn't as pessimistic of a tip as you might expect. Even a single day of joy can be worth it if you manage your expectations. I've had a relationship crash and burn after seven years, I've had ones that lasted a couple of months and I've had someone ghost me after the second date. And still, all of them gave me amazing memories that I wouldn't want to miss and they helped me grow as a person. Allow things to grow on their own and enjoy the process. Maybe you will marry that person. Maybe you'll date them for a few months or years. Maybe you will never get past second base but stay platonic friends. Maybe you will spend the most amazing day of your life with them and then never see them again because you accidentally spilled something over their favorite t-shirt.