Dating....

I'm 28 years old and have never been on a date. For those of you in America this might seem odd, but those of us here in the UK and Ireland you're probably in the same boat.So why is it so different in two countries that both speak the same language (well sort of)? I know a lot of Americans and even know some English people living in America, and ALL of them seem to go on dates. Whether single, in a relationship or married, they go on a lot of dates. English people don't do dating the same. Why is it so hard for English people to go up to someone and say 'Hi would you like to go on a date with me?' I'll tell you the answer. We think we're going to get raped or mugged, or both. I've always wanted to go on a date. They look fun, but I wouldn't have a clue what to do. What's the etiquette reagarding a date? Do you ask or wait to be asked? What happens if they say no? Do you feel rejected and dwell on this for a long time or do you move on to the next person? When you actually get the date who decides where to go? Who pays? Are you supposed to decide this in advance? What constitutes a date? Do you have to eat or can you go to a night club and not speak to each other?Here in England in order to be asked out, one or both parties tend to be drunk. It happens late at night, normally in a nightclub or pub, a man will saunter up to a woman (I say saunter more likely stumble) and say something like 'fancy coming back to mine for a shag?' this is how English people pull and start relationships. Why can't we be more civilised like our American friends?Now this evening myself and my husband are going out to dinner. Would this consitute a date? I have no idea. If it does are there certain rules we should follow?Answers on a postcard please......