[countryslicker]

Wow. Mind reading is not required. You've watched too many movies that go from strangers to married with children in 90 minutes. How about spending weeks, months, and even years building a relationship? Talking->dating->holding hands->... Spend more than 5 minutes on each stage. I know it seems old-fashioned, but it can really reduce the degree of offense when you misjudge the stage of a relationship.

[zaroth]

Very condescending reply and ad hominem isn't necessary, but I think is reflective of the strength of the argument.

Dating is messy, complicated business. People get hurt. There is no magic ritual or length of time that will prevent that.

But I think the ivory tower condescension that if only men would follow this or that prescriptive approach is extremely damaging and even perpetuates the problem.