Making Contact
So the date went well, and you're waiting for the promised call. Four days later, and you're still sitting by the telephone willing it to ring. When someone says, 'I'll call you', and then doesn't, it's one of the most exasperating things in the world - especially when you really like them.
While traditional etiquette tells us that the man should make the call, many women take matters into their own hands and tell their date that they'll call him. This can be empowering - and it's safer than giving out a telephone number to a stranger.
If you decide to call your date, make sure that you're sober, relaxed and not likely to be interrupted. If you get their voicemail then just leave a friendly message but don't ask for them to call you back. Don't, whatever you do, hang up without leaving a message - most people can check their missed calls using caller ID or last known caller, which won't reflect on you particularly well.
If they don't call, they're not interested. Full stop.
If you're in a position where you're waiting for someone to call you and they don't, then put it down to experience and move on. One of the hardest pieces of dating advice to take is 'If they don't call, they're not interested. Full stop'. As much as you might like to tell yourself they've lost your number, or that they've somehow lost the ability to use the phone in a freak accident, you're just fooling yourself. Simply accept it - they're just not interested. If they're keen on you, and really have lost your number (or had a freak telephone-related accident), they'll find a way to get in touch. Believe it. And whatever you do, don't break down and call them. Just accept it and move on.
Sometimes it can be appropriate to send your date a text message on the same evening - especially if they've got a long journey home. Something like "Had a great evening - have a safe journey home" is light and breezy, and shows that you are a decent, caring person too!