Car Etiquette to Win the Ladies Over
So your smooth moves have paid off, and you are about to start dating the woman of your dreams? We bet you don’t want to screw it up, right? Well, in that case we’d like to offer you a few tips on car etiquette while dating, that will hopefully last all the way through marriage.
1. Have your car cleaned. Properly.
Inside and out, your car should be looking spotless. Women appreciate a clean, inexpensive car much more than they would a Bentley full of last week’s pizza boxes and Chinese take-aways. If you regularly smoke / eat / let your English bulldog ride shotgun in your car, taking it for a proper valet to get rid of stains and smells is the least you can do. Nothing says “I’m a lazy, careless slob” faster than a grimy set of wheels.
2. Don’t be late
She primped, prepped and primed for the last hour to be picture perfect for you, so don’t disrespect her by being late. If something did come up or you got stuck in traffic, be polite and call to let her know you won’t be on time. You should always add around 30 minutes or so for unforeseen situations such as flat tyres or traffic jams anyway.
3. Pick up your date from her front door
Honking your horn for your date to come out is like snapping your fingers at the barman - you have a very limited chance of success. Ring the bell, be polite to her parents or flatmates, and escort her to the car. Open the car door for her. Regardless of how much of a feminist she is, this is a small gesture that most women appreciate. Do it until she tells you otherwise.
4. Parking at a premium? Make a plan, Stan
In heavily congested cities like Cape Town, chances are you won’t necessarily find parking close to her place of residence. In that case, make an arrangement beforehand that you will be calling her when you’re close, so she can come outside. Then, If possible, switch on your hazards and quickly hop out to open her door for her. You’ll be scoring major brownie points.
5. Music - keep it clean and serene
Unless your mutual adoration for Marilyn Manson, Li' Naz, Iron Maiden or Die Antwoord brought you together, stick to inoffensive, neutral music. By all means, ask her what music she’d like to listen to, or what music she’s into. Even your Uber driver has the decency to ask which radio station you prefer!
6. Make her feel like a VIP
Ask her whether she’s comfortable; if the air-con is too hot or too cold, if the open window is ruining her salon blow-out, or if the music is too loud or too soft. You’d be amazed at how these little things improve her perception of you.
7. Stick to the speed limit, and obey traffic signals
Most women are not petrolheads. So if you just got your new Golf GTI, she’s not going to be impressed by how fast it can corner. A good date for a lady doesn’t begin with her own life flashing before her eyes! Drive at a sensible speed.
8. Don’t talk about your car excessively
Your date probably doesn’t care, unless she’s very interested in cars. And don’t talk about your ‘baby’, ie. your car, as if it’s a real person. Women don’t want to hear about ‘her’ subwoofer and ‘her’ colour-flip paint job and ‘her’ 20-inch rims. Keep in-car conversation casual and light.
9. If you suffer from road rage, keep it under wraps
Now is not a good time to tell the taxi driver that just cut you off, to go to a very hot place which is the opposite of heaven, or to drop any f-bombs. Women view this as violent behaviour, even if they do this themselves. Is he going to act like this when he’s angry at you one day? What a turn-off. If you are an aggressive/irritable driver, listen to relaxing music while you drive.
10. Once you reach your destination, walk to her side of the car and open her door
Us ladies feel rather special when you do this for us. Other women will envy the lucky gal who is respected by her man and treated like a princess. If she doesn’t like it, she will tell you.
11. Tip the car-guard early and generously
You don’t really want the car-guard to approach your date to receive the money. And do not ask your date whether she has some money in her purse to give to him!
12. At the end of the date, walk her to her door
...and don’t leave until she is safely inside. Whether the date went well or whether it was a complete disaster, you can still show her how decent you are and that you were raised right.
