While sitting in a room saturated with sultry sounds of live jazz echoing seductively off of mahogany wood-grained, dome-shaped ceilings, I was drawn to the table adjacent to my left. I witnessed an eloquently dressed woman with a pale face and black diamond colored hair, sitting with two men.

Captivated by this woman's facial expressions, I couldn't tear my interest away from what was obviously a lady who was extremely appalled with the company she kept. In fact, I felt empathetic for this woman, who looked as if she'd spent quality time preparing herself for this wonderful evening only to find herself feeling alone and unappreciated.

Still, I wasn't completely sure what was really happening until I began focusing directly on the entire scene of the table. The men were engrossed in what seemed like a serious conversation and had completely withdrawn their attention from this lady.

After observing this woman's actions for another ten or 15 minutes, the two gentlemen at the table belted out laughter before bolting away abruptly, leaving the woman completely alone. Not once did either gentleman utter a word to the woman.

Immediately after the men walked away from the table, the woman grabbed her drink, drew it close to her stunning red lips and took a long gulp, then slammed the glass back down on the table.

I couldn't help but replay the entire scene over in my mind. Is it appropriate for men to take women out on a date and not talk with them? Lately, I have taken notice that most times when two couples are together, the men are engaged in conversation while the women are engrossed in their own small talk.  Do men find it challenging to talk with women and vice versa?

Maybe I am incorrect with my analogy but it seems the rules of dating have changed drastically.

Before settling into my long-term relationship, whenever I was out on a date with another couple everyone at the table would intermingle with each other.  When someone is discussing something, it was manner able to make sure you acknowledged each person at the table so you wouldn't make any one feel as though they were being left out. Yet the actions displayed by these two gentlemen really disturbed me, I think just as much as it disturbed the lady sitting with those two men.

Growing up, I was taught certain standards in the rules of dating. Ignoring others at the table was completely rude. Today it seems most people do not know how to put forth the effort to demonstrate proper communication skills, especially men towards women. Are we so different in gender that we find it difficult to establish a common ground of communication? Or has communicating while on a date become obsolete?

Dating is supposed to be exciting. No matter how long you have been with someone, possessing the power of expression is what keeps the fire burning. Once the physical allure has worn off and you have come to know one another, talking should be a breeze. Maybe I am being too critical but I never really felt so compelled to address such an issue until I witnessed the patrons sitting at the next table.

Men, talking with your date shouldn't be something you dread and the same applies to women. Finding that one topic that peaks your mate's interest should come natural. Men like sports and business. Women tend to enjoy cooking, music, business ideas and soothing whispers that tickle her fancy. Learning how to incorporate one of these topics in your hours of time spent together is simple. Just initiate the conversation and allow Cupid to make it do what it does. If the shoe fits, your Prince Charming or Cinderella will embrace the approach and help ease your fears.