A Lifestyle Guide by Willie Jacobson

Firstly, the official lifestyle definition of a man-date is as follows: “an engagement to go out socially with one other person of the same gender; without any romantic connotations.” This may include going for a movie, coffee, lunch etc and merely ‘catching up.’ Before I get attacked by feminists, it is called a mandate only because ‘womandate’ is a bit of a mouthful and simply doesn’t sound as cool. The following rules governing mandates apply equally to male and female:

1. Avoid excessive displays of emotion or affection. People may get the wrong idea.
2. Columbus coffee outside the mall in Albany is a great spot with pleasant atmosphere and surroundings. Sunny, sheltered from the wind and their frappes are top notch.
3. Turn off your mobile phone; your other half can wait. Txting on a mandate is annoying and rude. Save that for your normal dates.
4. Spontaneity is key. No need to plan a mandate long in advance, just go with the flow. A mandate should be initiated through mutual desire to ‘just chill’.
5. What is said on a mandate stays on the mandate. True feelings and emotions are revealed on these special occasions which therefore require confidentiality. Don’t go breaking trust, or next time it will be a solo-date.

As always, following my advice will lead you to greatness. Oh wait, I almost forgot; don’t go wearing a pink shirt or scarf on a mandate… for obvious reasons. Share some funny or awkward mandate experiences below (I feel like a chuckle):