Don't Go Seiko On Her

How long should a guy wait to call a girl after the first date? One friend waits a week. A female friend said this annoys girls and a guy should call the next day. This contradicts the old "three-day rule." What is the right timing?

--Confused

I like the 30-year rule: "Hello, Tammy, you might not remember me, but I took you out for drinks in 1981." Nothing tells a woman you aren't desperate for her company like taking three decades to call her. That's the point of all of these rules -- for a guy to not seem desperate. A guy who isn't probably doesn't call at 9:01 the next morning, but he doesn't sit on his phone for three days like he's waiting for it to hatch. He might text the woman the next afternoon, saying he had a great time and he'll call soon. Curb your desperation by asking lots of women out (so you won't fixate on one) and just hope some stick. Convey confidence by letting your interest guide when you call. Develop confidence and you could charm a woman by breaking the three-second rule -- calling her before she's even had a chance to get into her car.