If you lack dating etiquette, it won't matter how funny, charming or handsome you are. Behaving badly is one of the quickest ways to ruin a date with a girl, and often, we aren't even aware that we're doing anything wrong! So, before you offend a girl you're trying to impress, brush up on your manners.

We'll start with the basics of dating etiquette: opening the door. This means opening her car door, and opening the door to the restaurant so she can walk in first. Once you've been dating for awhile, you don't need to race around the car every time you go somewhere, but you should still make the effort if it's raining, or if it's a special occasion.

It's a nice gesture to pull out her chair, whether you're at a fine dining restaurant or a coffee shop. If you're waiting at the table when she arrives, stand up to greet her. Again, don't go too far with dating etiquette – you don't need to jump up and down every time a girl stands up.

When your food arrives at a restaurant, don't dig in until she's been served and has picked up her cutlery. Always swallow your food before you start talking, and use your napkin, not your hand or sleeve. If you've forgotten which fork comes first, just remember to start on the outside!

One of the most important parts of dating etiquette is eye contact. Make sure you turn off your cell phone. It's incredibly rude to answer a call or text message during a date. Maintain eye contact during your conversation, and don't stare at her chest while she's talking. Also, don't even think about swivelling to watch a pretty girl go past your table. Nothing will ruin a date faster than disrespecting the girl you're with. Give her what she deserves: your undivided attention.

Value other people's time. This is a good rule of thumb in all areas of life. Be on time, and if you are going to be late, have the courtesy to let your date know so she doesn't spend fifteen minutes at the restaurant wondering if she's in the wrong place.

Finally, ensure that your date gets home safely at the end of the night, whether you drive her home, walk her to her door, or help her hail a cab.

While the dating game changes from time to time, proper dating etiquette never goes out of style. Keep manners in mind next time you take a girl out, from the beginning of the date to the end.