The "three day rule" is an outdated piece of dating technology popularized by such films as "Swingers." It is a seemingly sensible yet often unrealistic tactic.
The "three day rule" is a rule to prevent a man from appearing desperate or needy after attaining a girl's phone number that he (just) met. Following this rule, you are to wait 3 days before calling in order to create suspense and appear non-needy.
The truth is, it is far better to call sooner but to make shorter calls. This way you slowly but surely integrate yourself into the girl's life, and by ENDING THE CALLS YOURSELF instead of waiting for conversation to dry out, you eliminate any signs of desperation. If you wait 3 days, you may have lost emotional momentum and it may be harder for her to recall the attraction she felt, depending on how well you did when you first met!
A far better tactic to create suspense, for example, would be to send a text message instead telling the girl you will call her at 4:21 on Tuesday (or some other EXACT time), but actually call her at 4:30 that day.
None of this is to say the "three day rule" is completely wrong; however, it should definitely not be followed dogmatically.
The "three day rule" is a rule to prevent a man from appearing desperate or needy after attaining a girl's phone number that he (just) met. Following this rule, you are to wait 3 days before calling in order to create suspense and appear non-needy.
The truth is, it is far better to call sooner but to make shorter calls. This way you slowly but surely integrate yourself into the girl's life, and by ENDING THE CALLS YOURSELF instead of waiting for conversation to dry out, you eliminate any signs of desperation. If you wait 3 days, you may have lost emotional momentum and it may be harder for her to recall the attraction she felt, depending on how well you did when you first met!
A far better tactic to create suspense, for example, would be to send a text message instead telling the girl you will call her at 4:21 on Tuesday (or some other EXACT time), but actually call her at 4:30 that day.
None of this is to say the "three day rule" is completely wrong; however, it should definitely not be followed dogmatically.
Hey man, have you called Clarisse?
No, I'm using the three day rule. I don't want to seem desperate.
How is calling a girl desperate? You don't have to ask her on a date on your first call, you know! Just tell her something cool happened, chat briefly, then say you've gotta go and will talk later.
Are you sure? The three day rule is supposed to work on everyone.
Positive. Then on your next call in the next few days, invite her along somewhere if you want.
No, I'm using the three day rule. I don't want to seem desperate.
How is calling a girl desperate? You don't have to ask her on a date on your first call, you know! Just tell her something cool happened, chat briefly, then say you've gotta go and will talk later.
Are you sure? The three day rule is supposed to work on everyone.
Positive. Then on your next call in the next few days, invite her along somewhere if you want.
by RePENT_22 May 8, 2007
A rule used by douchebag guys who think that waiting three days after a date to call means that the girl will want them more, when really it just pisses them off
by lunachick July 25, 2005
A rule established by the norms of society about the contact information received by people on the dating scene.
Scenario: A man receives a phone number from a woman in public. If he calls on day one, he will seem desperate. If he calls on day two, he will appear as if his interest is too strong and still desperate. However, if he waits until day three, he appears genuinely interested, and not clingy or needy.
Scenario: A man receives a phone number from a woman in public. If he calls on day one, he will seem desperate. If he calls on day two, he will appear as if his interest is too strong and still desperate. However, if he waits until day three, he appears genuinely interested, and not clingy or needy.
Person 1: I got a girl's number today; should I call her tonight?
Person 2: No, you should give it the three-day rule, man.
Person 2: No, you should give it the three-day rule, man.
by Shifty Eyed Goat June 16, 2004
An awesome rule, created by Jezus, explained by Barney Stinson in the sitcom How I met your mother.
The rule states that you should always wait three days before calling a girl. The three day rule was invented by Jezus, because he waited three days to resurrect.
Considered the fact that Barney Stinson stands behind this rule, makes the rule Awesome and legen... wait for it... dairy!
The rule states that you should always wait three days before calling a girl. The three day rule was invented by Jezus, because he waited three days to resurrect.
Considered the fact that Barney Stinson stands behind this rule, makes the rule Awesome and legen... wait for it... dairy!
by Thooms June 24, 2009
I couldn't let Bob sleep on my couch forever, so I had to enforce the three day rule. -or- That fish was no good to cook so it must have broken the three day rule.
by jade_kadir September 24, 2006
Timing is everything!! Just like when you're gonna blow your load, when you're gonna propose, when you're gona dump a bitch - touching base with a girl after swapping numbers should be no different!
3 Day Rule is a social que followed by guys in the dating scene to not come across a desperado or a guy that just fell out of a relationship and feels the need to latch on and "make contact" with a girl within 24 hours of meeting.
3DR Follows a simple principle of leaving the ball in your court - so to say. It keeps the subconscious psychological decision making power to yourself:
If you call to soon - subconsciously you've douped yourself into a "i bend to your mercy" sort of scenario.
If you wait the three days, female thinking will go as such:
Day 1 - Girl to friend :"I met this great guy last night we had a laugh, we exchanged details, he was tall dark bla bla bla"
Day 2 - Girl to self: hmmm he still hasn't called? i wonder what's goig on...
Day 3 - Girl to self: (On the brink of being) "wtf, who asks for a number and then doesn't call!? ... is it me? and then BAM! you call.
The need to "weaken" a female is key to dating success, she needs to be brought back down to Earth that she's not some super woman and that she's susceptible to being blown off just as easy as you are.
3 Day Rule is a social que followed by guys in the dating scene to not come across a desperado or a guy that just fell out of a relationship and feels the need to latch on and "make contact" with a girl within 24 hours of meeting.
3DR Follows a simple principle of leaving the ball in your court - so to say. It keeps the subconscious psychological decision making power to yourself:
If you call to soon - subconsciously you've douped yourself into a "i bend to your mercy" sort of scenario.
If you wait the three days, female thinking will go as such:
Day 1 - Girl to friend :"I met this great guy last night we had a laugh, we exchanged details, he was tall dark bla bla bla"
Day 2 - Girl to self: hmmm he still hasn't called? i wonder what's goig on...
Day 3 - Girl to self: (On the brink of being) "wtf, who asks for a number and then doesn't call!? ... is it me? and then BAM! you call.
The need to "weaken" a female is key to dating success, she needs to be brought back down to Earth that she's not some super woman and that she's susceptible to being blown off just as easy as you are.
Needy guy: <-- what you dont want to be.
*drunk, on the car ride home* "ohh mann she was soo hot, i cant believe i landed her number/digits, im gonna message her now and let her know i think she's hot"
OR
*the next day* .. "hey bruv, im gona message that girl last night to tell her that "I enjoyed meeting her", and that "i'd like to see her again" - its gona show that im about as blunt as a door knob and have no fun/unpredictableness to my name.
______________________________________________
Wait 3 days guy <--- what you wana be!
Remember the three steps, to the three day rule:
Day 1 - Girl to friend :"I met this great guy last night we exchanged details, he was tall dark bla bla bla"
Day 2 - Girl to self: hmmm he still hasn't called? i wonder what's goig on
Day 3 - Girl to self: (On the brink of being "wtf, who asks for a number and then doesn't call!? ... is it me?) and then BAM! you call.
Play the game - so to speak, be a little fun, strategise, dating is a battle field of psychology and exerting subtle dominance - otherwise you end up being a pussy whipped bitch!
*drunk, on the car ride home* "ohh mann she was soo hot, i cant believe i landed her number/digits, im gonna message her now and let her know i think she's hot"
OR
*the next day* .. "hey bruv, im gona message that girl last night to tell her that "I enjoyed meeting her", and that "i'd like to see her again" - its gona show that im about as blunt as a door knob and have no fun/unpredictableness to my name.
______________________________________________
Wait 3 days guy <--- what you wana be!
Remember the three steps, to the three day rule:
Day 1 - Girl to friend :"I met this great guy last night we exchanged details, he was tall dark bla bla bla"
Day 2 - Girl to self: hmmm he still hasn't called? i wonder what's goig on
Day 3 - Girl to self: (On the brink of being "wtf, who asks for a number and then doesn't call!? ... is it me?) and then BAM! you call.
Play the game - so to speak, be a little fun, strategise, dating is a battle field of psychology and exerting subtle dominance - otherwise you end up being a pussy whipped bitch!
by Nebby Bear 12345 September 10, 2011
Another widely used "three day rule" has nothing to do with dating. This three day rule suggests to wait 3 days before responding to something another person does that infuriates you. The three day period gives you time to calm down and think so you are not just reacting from having a button pushed.
by OS3Psych February 1, 2009