# How soon should I call? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [January 25, 2005, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-soon-should-i-call/286604 "2005-01-25T16:45:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Cuckoorex](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ad7895/32.png) [@Cuckoorex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cuckoorex)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2005, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-soon-should-i-call/286604/1 "2005-01-25T16:45:00Z")
I know that the ‘industry standard’ for calling a girl that you just met after getting her phone number is 2 days, right? What if you knew the girl already for a while? Is the next day OK, or does that still seem too eager? ---
**Author:** ![Duderdude2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/cdc98d/32.png) [@Duderdude2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duderdude2)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2005, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-soon-should-i-call/286604/2 "2005-01-25T16:53:12Z")
I vote for too eager. However, you must also consider that I waited three days, and thus far, it hasn’t worked out. So take what I say with a grain of salt. ---
**Author:** ![Fanny\_May](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3be4f8/32.png) [@Fanny\_May](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fanny_May)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2005, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-soon-should-i-call/286604/3 "2005-01-25T17:43:35Z")
Go for it! Girls hate the wait. Each day is a slight blow to the ego. But if you want to leave some space before meeting again, that’s fine. Just so it doesn’t keep her wating. “Let’s get together for lunch sometime” is making her wait. “Let’s get together for lunch, say Monday?” is perfect. ---
**Author:** ![Hal\_Briston](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a9a28c/32.png) [@Hal\_Briston](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hal_Briston)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2005, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-soon-should-i-call/286604/4 "2005-01-25T18:11:44Z")
If you wait two days, it better be because you were spending that in-between day rescuing drowning kittens from an icy river on your way to check on how the homeless shelter you’re paying for out of your vast personal fortune is coming along. From the first call, to the first date, to the marriage proposal, to conception of the first child, through the entirety of your life together that you have any control over whatsoever: _Never keep the lady waiting_. ---
**Author:** ![Rashak\_Mani](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ea666f/32.png) [@Rashak\_Mani](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rashak_Mani)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2005, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-soon-should-i-call/286604/5 "2005-01-25T18:24:58Z")
Call the next day… mid-afternoon onwards. Have the next date planned though or a suggestion at least. Don’t be too eager of course. Good Luck… you’ll need it… I hate the initial dating BS. ---
**Author:** ![FilmGeek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/b19c9b/32.png) [@FilmGeek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FilmGeek)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2005, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-soon-should-i-call/286604/6 "2005-01-25T18:25:36Z")
I always like getting called the next day. Makes me feel special, like the guy is thinking about me and excited to see me again. You don’t have to go out that day or anything, just a “I wanted to take you out to dinner… how’s Friday for you” etc. ---
**Author:** ![CynicalGabe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/3e96dc/32.png) [@CynicalGabe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CynicalGabe)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2005, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-soon-should-i-call/286604/7 "2005-01-25T18:38:32Z")
I vote for screw it: call when you feel like it. I don’t play those BS games, and I won’t date anyone who does. IMHO. ---
**Author:** ![Abbie\_Carmichael](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/49beb7/32.png) [@Abbie\_Carmichael](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Abbie_Carmichael)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2005, 11:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-soon-should-i-call/286604/8 "2005-01-25T23:45:44Z")
Do you like this girl? Then call her, before some other guy calls her. _You_ noticed her, which means chances are good other guys are checking her out too. ---
**Author:** ![SolGrundy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bbce88/32.png) [@SolGrundy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SolGrundy)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2005, 12:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-soon-should-i-call/286604/9 "2005-01-26T00:27:28Z")
“Rules” are bullshit. Forget them. If you’re a good guy, you’re going to be a good guy whether or not you do something stupid like wait a day to call. If you’re a stalker, then that’s going to become apparent quickly even if you do wait a day to call. You can only hide what you’re really like and how you really feel for so long. Since it’s all going to come out eventually, why bother hiding it? (Just remember that saying the “L” word is different, and should only be used when you really, really mean it, and never too early.)