As sex-role equality becomes more acceptable in heterosexual relationships, it is important to examine traditional assumptions about "appropriate" masculine and feminine behaviors. Subjects (N=203) reacted to descriptions of initiations of heterosexual relationships in which the sequence of two initiations (starting a conversation and issuing a dinner invitation) and the sex of the initiator were factorially manipulated. Male initiators were perceived more positively than female initiators regardless of type of initiation, and indirect initiations were perceived as more acceptable than direct initiations for both sexes. Male subjects indicated more willingness to engage in both types of initiations than females. There were no sex differences in perceptions. The overall pattern of results suggests that some variations in the traditional assumptions about initiation of heterosexual relationships may be developing. (Author)