20 Dating Tips From Authors of 'The Rules'

Women succeed in dating by not being too available or accommodating.

The authors of best-selling dating guide "The Rules" are back with tips on how to navigate relationships in the 21^st century. The latest installment from Ellen Fein and Sherrie Schneider  -- "Not Your Mother’s Rules: The New Secrets for Dating" -- debuts Jan. 8. So, if your New Year’s resolution is to land a mate or improve an existing relationship, you might want to check it out. Be forewarned, however, critics of "The Rules" say the dating tips Fein and Schneider offer are sexist and old-school. On the other hand, celebrities such as Beyoncé and Oprah Winfrey are reportedly fans of "The Rules." Beyoncé is quoted on the back cover of the original Rules books, saying, “It has worked for me.” Will it work for you? Check out the rules below to see. The authors say they have stood the test of time. Rules Girls:

Don’t accept last minute dates. Reject men who ask them out on a Friday night, even if they don’t have plans.

Understand that men want a challenge and find women who are too available boring.

Turn off their cell phones sometimes. They let guys wonder where they are on occasion.

Understand that if a man likes them, he won’t forget to phone or ask them out.

Do not ask men out. They let men do the chasing.

Do not ask new men in their lives to weddings, holiday bashes and other events that might scare them away.

Consider breaking up with men who don’t propose after a year or so of dating.

Don’t initiate conversations about marriage and commitment. Instead, let men introduce these subjects.

Do not sleep with a man immediately.

Drop guys who cancel more than once.

Don’t linger on dates but end them first.

Do not reveal personal information on the first date. Instead, they keep the conversation light.

Only love men who love them back.

Let men be chivalrous by having them pick them up for dates, choose restaurants and pay for meals.

Understand that men who want to take a break before Christmas, New Year’s or Valentine’s Day aren’t interested.

Make their own plans instead of waiting for men to ask them out.

Don’t date married men.

Don’t allow complicated checklists to stop them from finding true love.

Don’t text guys constantly.

Know that it’s okay to be quiet on dates sometimes.

[ALSO READ: Why Couples Split During Holidays]

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Is It Ever OK To Use Groupon On A Date?

Is a guy cheap if he uses flash deals to pay?

For something that's been going on since the beginning of time, dating always seems to find a way to become more difficult each year.

First guys had to worry about picking the girl up or meeting her. After they figured that out, they had to worry about where to take her and how much to spend.

Now, in 2012, the fellas have yet another issue to confront: How to pay for everything.

We're not talking "paper or plastic" either. We're talking if he should pay full price or use one of those God-blessed discount services like Groupon, LivingSocial or Scoutmob when taking a lady out on a date.

During a recent episode of "The Wendy Williams Show" on BET, the host and the crowd debated if a man pulling out his phone and using a Groupon coupon on a date were examples of acceptable behavior. The majority of the women in the audience said "hell no" in so many words.

[ALSO READ: Up Your Holiday Dating Game]

They aren't the only ones who feel that way either. Ask your female friends on Twitter and Facebook and they'll probably tell you the same.

In fact, the ladies have been quietly talking about this among themselves for some time now.

Online relationship show host Vanae of Vanae.com declared that Groupons are okay when in a relationship, but not for first dates.

"I just don't think you should use it on a first date," said Andrea Jackson, a library manager in Atlanta. "[It] does look cheap. If we continue to date, I think it's dinner after several dates."

"I think using Groupon on a first or second date may turn some women off," said Jen McKinnon, an independent social media manager. "Some women may view it as cheap and/or informal. Others might view it as being up on new trends though; it depends on her personality."

[ALSO READ: How to Handle a Cheap Date]

Your 'Official' Cuffing Season Holiday Gift Guide

Electric Wine Bottle Opener If you're seeing someone who's a bit of a lush, or really enjoys the grapes, make life a little easier by gifting her with an electric wine bottle opener. Trust us, she will love it.

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Presents for the one you're with -- for the present

In case you didn't get the memo, CUFFING SEASON HAS BEGUN! It's that time of year when it's all men and women for themselves, in the quest not to be by themselves through the winter holiday season.

Some of you started early, and have been cupcaking since Halloween. The rest of you may have gotten in the game a little late and only just realized that Christmas is around the corner.

If you happen to be one of those lucky people cuffed up with someone who doesn't celebrate Christmas, kudos. But for the rest of you, you're going to have get your not-so-significant other a gift. Nothing too crazy, but at least something.

[ALSO READ: 5 Ways to Avoid Holiday Overspending]

And since you're planning on dumping this person sometime between New Year's and Valentine's Day anyway, the gift probably shouldn't be anything that says "I Love You," but rather, "You're alright with me."

Here are some suggestions for holiday gifts to let that uncertain someone know you're thinking about him or her -- at least a little.

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