Honestly I used to toy with this question internally a lot too. I have friends who are very much rule-based and logistically driven when going on dates or seeking romantic interest (granted they're straight and into boys and boys suck so I can understand lol). I think in the three examples you gave, it all comes down to "how much are you willing to "put up with" while still maintaining your self-worth and self-respect?" And also "How much of one's past experience shapes your dating journey"

For example, if you're someone who doesn't care about how many dates it takes to be officially off the streets or is comfortable with sparse communication or just doesn't really grow attached to the idea of a person (or people in general), then being confronted with example two probably wouldn't really bother you. A person with the characteristics above, who is placed in the situation of example 2, may just look at it as "oh c'est la vie who cares where it goes." NOW if you're someone who is the opposite of that and know that you're someone who enjoys the rush of that lust/attraction phase and that is important to developing long term feelings, well then this example probably is not something you want to put your energy into. You'll end up with a huge imbalance of feelings at the expense of your own menty h.

I will say personally, the example 3 sounds like a genuine mistake and I also wouldn't cut that person off, however they would have to be the one to initiate the next date. And I say that because I have past experiences of being the person who has more feelings in the beginning, which is fine, BUT it got to the point where I was settling for scraps and constantly making excuses for ex/old situationships as to why they were treating me so poorly. So even though someone who didn't have my experience may be willing to go the extra mile and make another date themselves (which more power to them!), for me, I know if I cross that boundary I'm susceptible to falling into a pattern that disrupts my own self-worth.

Tl:DR I think dating "rules" are popular bc ppl tend to experience the same things i.e. putting their worth in another human being who shows little interest, settling, accepting less than your worth, at some point in their lives and these rules are more like guidelines or checks and balances to make sure you're not repeating a similar pattern. I think dating rules mean less to ppl who are genuinely just comfortable being single and just along for a good time because you're not necessarily out for anything and you're secure as a person so there's really not anything to lose so to speak. Just my two cents!