Raq, a woman in her 20s based in New York, likens the city's dating scene to a "mud pit." She believes that men who appear ideal often have undesirable personalities.

To navigate this, Raq developed a set of 7 "bare minimum" dating rules, which she then shared on social media platform X (formerly Twitter). The post quickly went viral, attracting over 1 million views and igniting a fierce debate on relationship etiquette.

Raq, based in New York, established her 7 dating rules for men. Photo: Instagram/Raqisright

Raq, based in New York, established her 7 dating rules for men. Photo: Instagram/Raqisright

Raq's rules include:

Paying for the meal: She will cut off contact and even publicly shame a date if they suggest splitting the bill.

Opening doors: Men must open all types of doors, from restaurant entrances to car doors. Raq states she "never touches a doorknob herself."

Ordering first: Women should always order their meal first.

Preferred seating: Women must be seated on a sofa or in the most comfortable spot with the best view in the restaurant.

Escorting home: Men need to offer to take their date home. If she uses a ride-sharing service, he must wait until she is safely in the car to demonstrate courtesy.

No ex-talk: Absolutely no mention of ex-girlfriends or past ambiguous relationships.

Sidewalk rule: When walking, men must walk on the outside (closer to the road) to protect women. "Anyone who doesn't know this deserves to be single," she asserts.

Raq's views polarized the online community. Some users supported her, viewing these expectations as basic acts of chivalry. They argued that refined men should protect women through small actions, such as walking on the sidewalk side or opening doors.

However, the opposition was more vocal. Many critics labeled Raq as having "princess syndrome" and being overly pragmatic. "It's ridiculous that she demands minimum standards from men but sets maximum expectations for herself," one user commented. Her rule about "never opening a door herself" was widely criticized as snobbish and lacking independence.

In response to the backlash, Raq clarified that she is simply seeking "conservative yet modern" men—individuals who uphold traditional gallantry in today's dating environment.

Indeed, discussions surrounding "dating expenses" and etiquette are consistently hot topics. A Dating.com survey revealed that 75% of singles believe traditional etiquette remains important, yet the boundary between "courtesy" and "demanding" is increasingly subtle in modern society.

By Minh Phuong (According to NY Post)