What does dating mean to you? What does dating involve for you?

talking.
hanging out.
groping.
in hopes we like each other enough to keep it going.

lol

good topic


dating is a mutual agreement to spend time together during a specific time period

like an appointment, but on a social level


an appointment to meet and get to know more about someone,

Dating means to me the casual getting together with someone of interest to see if they are still of interest after the date - goes both ways of course. It means the chance to spend some time talking, sharing a meal etc as a way to begin to get to know each other. Dating is what we do to learn if a relationship is possible and desired. Dating does not mean we are not seeing anyone else, does not mean LOVE and or that sex is rightfully expected. I think dating is a mostly lost art but would love to be proved wrong.

you said it so much better than I did,,,lol

Exactly, with 'casual' being the operative word.
I've heard, 'we're just dating' before, but never... 'we're just in a relationship.'

I think you said it just fine, msharmony But thanks!

Perhaps we need to bring back dating guidelines?
1st date - public place, 2-3 hours maximum (leave em wanting more)
2nd date - public place, a few hours, maybe with mutual friends.
3rd date - holding hands and perhaps a goodbye kiss.
4th date - excited to see if that kiss holds it's promise.


Three dates should take a minimum of three weeks to occur with one phone call in between for a short chat and to confirm date 2and 3 plans. Overly simple maybe (what do I know - not having had a date in a few years) but dating is a process that should be enjoyed and leave both people an easy way to say 'thanks but no thanks'.

Since my husband died I have dated a little only to get the 'bums rush' each time. I am not rich, overly beautiful or easy, don't think I give off signs off wanting an instant roomie... Why the rush? It screams to me of neediness, desperateness, traits I do not find attractive and which send me home alone shaking my head about how grown supposedly mature men (people, I am sure this happens the other way around too) can get a simple date so wrong.

I watch from a distance.

this is a great statment and true!

another great post here

Meeting someone, having fun with that person, and fornication.

Going out to a social event? Idk ..

I kind of agree with msharmony.

It's a mutual agreement to spend time together and have fun.

I don't consider meeting someone for the first few times as "dating".
for the reason, that it is just meeting to see if we like each other, and along the way maybe if we would still like to see each other.
I say dating is after those few time together getting to know each other, then I;ll date the man, I;ll be more myself and less distant.

An appointment sounds so formal!

Wow, so many rules! I'll be honest and say that if I didn't get a kiss by the second date, I'd probably assume he wasn't interested in more than friendship. And if I really like someone and want to see them again, I'd definitely want to do so before a week was up. I'd also probably talk to them more than once in between.

But, that's why I made this topic. I was curious what others thought.

So, if you do on a few dates with someone to see if you like them, you don't consider them dates?

Dating someone for me is to discover if we are compatible as possible future partners in a loving relationship, which would involve going out socially on a 1-2-1 basis.

in my opinion, so is 'dating'

agreement, appointment,,,,,but its a one to one exchange that ends when each go home without any further obligation

in my opinion

I see that you have some fast rules too that may get in the way of a good relationship. The assumption that he isn't into you if he doesn't try and kiss you on the second date. If we went out and I was massively into you, I still wouldn't try and kiss you until at least the 3rd date.

I recently went out with someone who, I found myself. Spring about and after attempting a kiss after several 'dates' appointments etc, she expressed that kissing was very intamate to her and it made her feel uncomfortable. If I value what was started, then I back off and find her pace and desire for the relationship. If I value the other person, then her desire for how the relationship goes has to become as important as what I am looking for.

Give and take. If not its all give or all take. Pretty simple to me.