Older and wiser?

Your dating shortcomings seem embarrassing now, but look on the bright side.

One day, you'll be able to compile them all into a handy advice manual for people who will likely disregard the tips and repeat your mistakes.

Feel better?

Here, a 31-year-old dating blogger shares 31 things she wishes she would have known about dating when she was 21.

The majority of the tips are spot-on: lay off on the gifts early in a relationship, learn to cook, avoid expectations.

However, my bank account disagrees with the assertion that your boyfriend will freak out if you pay for him at Ruth's Chris.

I enjoy this kind of article -- not because the tips make us immune to bad judgments, but because they remind us of our capacity to learn from even our worst romantic mishaps.