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Dating is supposed to be exciting and for most women it’s all about diving in head first and going on plenty of dates and meeting tons of men. However, while a forward approach is never shunned upon, before you put a lot of effort and time into dating a specific man, there are some crucial pieces of information you must have in your possession. Here are 14 things you need to know about the man you’re dating.
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Expectations
When it comes to dating, it’s crucial that the two of you know each others’ expectations like the back of your hand. Before taking things to another level and putting forth a lot of effort and time, make sure that his expectations and your expectations mesh. Be sure that each of your expectations are boldly outlined.
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Social life
It’s unlikely that as a couple you two are spending every waking day and night together. So what do you two do when you’re not side-by-side? Though it may not seem too important, it’s good to know whether or not your man is an introvert or extrovert. Be honest about your social life outside of him. Does he go bar-hopping every weekend? Are you one that likes to spend more time at home? All of this will play a role in your relationship.
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Friendships
You don’t need to meet every friend that he has listed on Facebook. However, it’s ideal that you’re able to meet his closest friends, no matter if they’re male or female. Not only is it nice to put a face to the name, it’s a good experience to be able to know and associate with those whom your man deems as his closest friends.
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Family life
Though a relationship only involves you and this man, it’s important to know each others’ family life and family history. Is he close to his parents? Does he know that you’re closer to your mom than your dad? Families shape the people we become, so it’s nice to be familiar with each others’ family history, status, and upbringing.
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Job status
Your job status, as well as your man’s job status, will definitely play a role in your relationship. Do his job hours match yours? Is he working towards climbing the corporate ladder? What are your ultimate career goals? These are all important questions that both of you will need to know and talk about. Jobs can definitely make or break a relationship.
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Values
In order for a relationship to be successful, you’ll want to figure out if your values are compatible. What kind of belief system does this man have? Do his beliefs go along with yours? What does he value? What do you value? Consider all of these things before diving deeper.
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Passions
What are you passionate about? What makes this man feel alive and happy? Passions and hobbies are two topics that the two of you will want to talk about thoroughly. Though your passions and hobbies don’t have to be exactly the same, things go a bit more smoothly when you have something in common in this category.
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Financial information
You don’t need to have access to this man’s bank account nor does he need access to your money, but it’s important to know where the two of you stand financially. Is this man a saver or a spender? Are you more worried about getting rich or living comfortably? Are either of you givers to charities? Money plays a huge role in a partnership, even when the two of you are just dating.
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Communication skills
Communication is crucial in all relationships, even during the beginning stages of dating. Without knowing how the two of you communicate early on, you subject yourselves to bigger issues as time goes on. Are you one of those women who puts up walls when she’s upset or angry? Is your man one to keep his emotions to himself? Know your communication skills and habits as well as his.
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Where you see yourself years from now
When things start to get serious, it’s important that you and your man discuss your dreams and future plans. Do you want to move to a different state? Do you want to travel the world? Make sure that you know each others’ dreams and figure out whether your future plans mesh, and then start helping each other work towards them.
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Bad habits
Though these may be hard to admit, all of us have bad habits, and no matter how small or futile, bad habits can definitely come between you and your date. Is your man a weekend binger? Do you smoke when you’re extremely stressed? Talking about your bad habits and learning about his will allow the two of you to determine whether or not you can deal with each other, good and bad.
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Responsibilities
Aside from our jobs and education, a lot of people have responsibilities that they have to take care of. Does this man have kids? Do you? Do you spend a lot of time taking care of your elderly parents? Responsibilities are often non-negotiable, and it’s important to determine whether or not the two of you can accept these responsibilities or not.
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Relationship wants and needs
Dating can mean different things to different people, and while the two of you may be having a great time going out to dinner and seeing movies, if you want to take things further, it’s important that the two of you discuss what a relationship is to you, what commitment is, and where you think things are headed in the future.
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Baggage
While this may not be a topic that comes up immediately after you two decide to start dating exclusively, baggage is definitely worth talking about, especially if things are moving towards becoming more serious. Baggage can cause all sorts of issues in a relationship, and before committing to each other, it’s important to know about each others’ baggage and then determine if you’re willing to deal with it or not.
