in today's world dating means a negative word.people doesn't like it.
what really negative are casual hookups .datings are actually a first step towards a marriage or relationships physically. yes divorces can happen. but in my point of view during a relationship dating can happen before or after the marriage..
the only criteria is that you should be well understood by each other....
that's it...

I've never particularly liked the term 'dating'. in the UK a few decades ago we didn't really use or have the term 'dating'. unfortunately with the Americanism of the English language the term 'dating' has crept into the UK. one of the reasons I don't like the term dating is because it's a bit too vague and yet it appears too formal. I suspect people used to get together in a more natural, more organic, fluid way. I find the term friendship is more concise and clear. I sometimes wonder if the dating industry has turned what used to be a natural process into a profit making business model. maybe the honesty, vulnerability, the fun, the excitement, the intrigue and the mystery of human relations has become too binary. As with everything in life, human relations are about adaptability and I sometimes think formal matchmaking processes are bound to interfere with this.

Dating is not a negative word, but it is ambiguous. It can mean different things to different people. I personally believe it's just a phrase to mean you are interested in a person - or people. It doesn't imply exclusivity, intent or anything other than interest.

Be careful with the after marriage relationship dating.
That can lead to relationship dating after divorce.

^
Exactly. The same thing happened in Germany/rest of Europe. We never had a word for "dating" growing up. You just made friends more naturally, because you knew people that knew someone you liked, or went to school or church with them or worked in the same company, etc. You just started to naturally talk to each other (sometimes in groups), then you just grabbed a bite to eat and continued the conversation. And then if you liked each other you just keep meeting until you become better friends, like with any person. Nowadays the American term has infiltrated the language and culture as far as I can see. I never liked the word and action behind it when I came to the US. People put all kinds of stress on themselves about it and start acting a certain way (sometimes try to be who they are not, etc), there where "dating tips" in magazines, books written to fill libraries etc.

I still refuse to call it dating. I like to make friends and if there is more I /we officially will start a "courtship" which is a more serious step to me towards marriage.