It's easy to be a human yo-yo when it comes to dating: One week, you're all in, and the next, you're footloose and fancy free, totally "off" dating, only to start the whole process again the following week. But there are some signs that point to the possibility that it may be time to stop dating altogether. It may come as a surprise, but people do meet other people out in the real world, nary a dating app in sight. It does happen, and I'm here to say that you might want to give dating a break if you're, say, experiencing dating burnout. Or rolling your eyes at the idea of going on dates. Or just altogether over dating, period. If you've been going on a lot of dates with unworthy types - the mansplainer, the type who just wants to string you along, mad ghosters - it is especially wise to hit pause, or at least slo-mo, on the whole dating thing.

Q: We just started dating. Do I get her a Christmas gift? And if so, how much do I spend? Want to know what, though? We are dreading it just as much. But want to know the only thought worse than you giving us a gift?

Lots of people have told me unequivocally that they would never date a friend's ex. They wholeheartedly believe that it's wrong, disrespectful, and if a friend did that to them, they'd never talk to that person again. They believe this is something everybody knows, that they're just following the rules. What I've noticed, though, is that every person I've heard espouse this worldview was straight. This rule is almost never stated or enforced among queer communities.