It’s no secret that all the ladies want a true gentleman, no matter how independent or progressive they are. 

But what exactly does it mean to be a gentleman in today’s dating world? 

Gone are the days when it was all about pulling out chairs and opening doors. While women still do appreciate these gestures, being a gentleman is more about the mindset and how you make your date feel. 

In this article, I’m going to walk you through eight things a true gentleman does on a date, things that resonate deeply in our modern age and create genuine connections.

Whether you’re venturing into the dating scene or looking to refine your approach, these insights will help you stand out as a true gentleman in the best possible way.

1) He plans the date

First up, a true gentleman doesn’t just wing it when it comes to taking a woman out.

He understands the importance of planning – carefully considering the details of the date. It’s not that he’s the controlling type, it’s just that he wants to put in a lot of thoughtfulness and effort.

This includes deciding on a location that he thinks she’ll enjoy, making a reservation if needed, and having a loose plan for how the evening will unfold.

The beauty of this approach is that it sets a positive tone right from the start. It shows that he’s considerate and thoughtful – qualities that are attractive in any potential partner.

Plus, having a plan shows that he values her time. Which brings me to my next point… 

2) He’s punctual

All the planning in the world won’t matter if you’re late to your date. Punctuality is more than just good manners; it’s about respect. 

A true gentleman understands the value of time, both his own and that of others. When he sets a time for the date, he sticks to it.

Of course, there may be times when being late is unavoidable due to unforeseen circumstances. In such cases, he would communicate in advance, apologize sincerely, and make up for it.

On the whole, punctuality speaks volumes about your character. So, gents, always aim to be on time – believe me, that goes a long way in leaving a great impression!

3) He’s polite to everyone

Speaking of manners, one thing you’ll notice about how a true gentleman behaves on a date is that he’s equally courteous to everyone. 

Not just to his date, but to everyone he interacts with, from the waiter serving their meal to the parking attendant.

And that’s a telltale sign that makes him stand out from the rest. You know why? 

Because it’s easy to be charming to someone you’re trying to impress. Every Tom, Dick and Harry can do that. 

But a man who’s polite even to those who can do nothing for him…that says a lot about his true self.

Kindness and respect towards others show that he values people as individuals, regardless of their role or status. This is a quality that speaks volumes about his character and is often more attractive than any expensive gift or grand gesture.

4) He listens attentively

In my own dating experiences, I’ve found that listening is a game-changer.

One time, I went on a date with a woman who was passionate about her job in the non-profit sector. Rather than trying to match her enthusiasm with my own stories, I took the time to really listen.

I asked her questions about her work, what drove her and how she got into it. I could see her eyes light up as she spoke about her passion. 

Not only did this give me an insight into who she was as a person, but it also made her feel valued and heard.

A true gentleman understands this – a date is not an opportunity to flex his own achievements or interests but to understand and appreciate hers.

Listening attentively shows presence. It means you’re genuinely interested in getting to know her, and that’s something every woman appreciates. 

After all, everyone wants to feel heard and valued.

5) He respects her boundaries

Needless to say, a true gentleman knows where the proverbial line lies and how to draw it. 

Aside from respecting personal space, he also understands the concept of emotional and conversational boundaries. 

For instance, if she seems uncomfortable discussing a particular topic, he’ll swiftly steer the conversation in a different direction.

If she’d rather have a friendly peck on the cheek or would rather not invite him to her apartment after the date, that’s fine. 

The bottom line is, a true gentleman won’t push past what his date’s comfortable with. 

6) He’s not afraid of showing his emotions

There’s a common misconception that being a gentleman means maintaining an air of stoic masculinity at all times. 

This misconception often leads to guarded interactions, where showing vulnerability is mistakenly seen as a weakness. 

However, I’ve found that the most memorable and meaningful connections are formed when both parties are open and honest about their feelings.

Take, for instance, a date I once had. It was going smoothly, but there was a moment when the conversation turned to more personal matters, touching on past experiences and life challenges. 

Initially, I hesitated, conditioned to think that sharing such deep emotions might be seen as unmanly. But then I took a chance and opened up about my own struggles and lessons learned. 

To my surprise, this led to a deeper conversation, creating a bond far stronger than any superficial chat could have.

That evening taught me an invaluable lesson: being a gentleman isn’t about hiding your emotions behind a façade of toughness. 

It’s about having the courage to be authentic and empathetic and allowing your date to see the real you. 

This kind of emotional honesty paves the way for genuine understanding and connection, which, in my opinion, is the best way to approach the whole business of dating. 

7) He’s humble

I know a lot of men who think that rattling off their accomplishments or showing off their success is the best way to impress their dates. 

Newsflash: it’s not. If anything, it’s more likely to turn them off. 

Boasting and having a huge ego isn’t true-gentleman behavior at all. Because a true gentleman knows the importance of humility. He simply lets his actions speak for themselves, and that’s that.

Like I mentioned earlier, he prefers to turn the spotlight onto his date. That way, he gives her the space to shine and gets to really know her. 

This brings me to my final point…

8) He respects her as an equal

At the heart of being a gentleman lies one fundamental principle – respect.

A true gentleman sees his date not as someone to impress or win over, but as an equal. He values her opinions, respects her decisions, and appreciates her individuality.

He doesn’t try to control or dominate but seeks to build a connection based on mutual respect and understanding.

This is arguably the most important quality a gentleman can possess. Because at the end of the day, respect forms the foundation of any meaningful relationship. Without it, it’s hard to take the relationship to the next level.

Final thoughts

The dating scene often asks us to put our best foot forward and be the impeccable versions of ourselves. 

And while that’s certainly natural, I’d like to emphasize that authenticity is still the best way to go about it. 

When it comes to dating, you don’t want to deceive the other person. You don’t want to perform for show, then have her be disappointed down the road when she finds out that all of that gentlemanly behavior was fake. 

Which means, to behave like a true gentleman, you actually have to be one. That way, you don’t need to pretend; it will simply show up naturally because that’s who you are at the core.