So we have what ends it, and that we all have experience with.
But now, what begins a relationship? How do you know you're in one?
And I'm not getting at dating, I mean shifting from dating into a relationship.
How do you know?

Must admit I don't really know as I've been there that I felt we had a relationship when the man felt we weren't.
Quite shocking.

- you talk about it

I've gone through a number of interpretations in time and I'm not sure whci one is the current definition of relationship...
when I was a kid it was clear: one (the boy usually) had to ask the other "do you want to be my girlfriend?") Normally the girl never replied yes immediately, it was either NO or "I need to think about it". And then in a variable time (2 days to 1 week usually) she would let you know and with some luck you were allowed to kiss her. Kissing before being officially in a relationship?? forget it!
Then, later in time the situation changed slightly, with no need to ask, but if two kissed it was assumed, if not otherwise stated, that it was a relationship.
Still relatively simple, although not as clear as before.
Then one day I was kissing a girl in the park, but just for clarity I asked if she wanted to be my girlfriend and she said no. Ok, at least it was still clear? Apparently not, as another girl, classmate of her, got very angry with me because when she asked me if I and her classmete were in a relationship, I said no and she started insulting me because I kissed a girl but did not want a relationship (actually it was the opposite, but ok)... I got rather confused... then after a couple of years the situation became even more fluid, and the habit came, after 3 or for times of going out and kissing, maybe also going a bit furher, to double check if both thought the same, so in general one of the two would ask 'are we together?' (as a couple of course)... giving the wrong answer could be very dangerous... est thing always to say YES and smile, if you didn't really want a relationship you could end it later :-)
Now I think it's always more fluid, a kiss alone meanso nothing, sex alone means nothing, very often a relationship still means nothing. Friends, couple, sex friends, friends with benefits, and many other possibilities.
In my opinion, we should go back to 10years old and ask in advance, just to be clear :-)

You need to date someone looking for the same as you from dating, so you need to establish that early on, but when dating begins there is never any guarantee of where it will go in my opinion.

I have never had an issue with that. They say "Let's be exclusive". Which means we stop chatting or seeing other people.
Good communication leads to results.

I Know when I'm in A relationship, because I choose to be exclusive.
I like dating.

I have a couple of men friends in my town, one wants to be in a relationship but I declined. He's widower.

I'm picky.

If I had those five answers,
I could finally write the big book,
and quit my day job.


Shhhh! I write... Stuff.

Hahahahahahahahahaha.
I want that book! Get going with it all right!

I don't think one party choosing to be exclusive is an indication of a relationship.
Both being exclusive along with the intention to build a future together because they love each other would be.
But then, how do you communicate that?
You just choose to be exclusive and then what? You let them know and expect them to do the same?

There you go. It isn't all that easy, is it! haha.

It is when the man has already made it known he wants exclusive.

But then I have to agree. I have declined before. We continue to

date or he can disconnect and move on.

I've had it happen that a guy communicated something along those lines, but not that line. It sounds silly. I've only ever heard that from dating coaches but cannot imagine anyone saying that. (That could be a language thing btw)
Something that expresses that, okay.

I think sometimes you also just slip into a relationship without it needing to be communicated.
I've had that happen in the past but then both younger and not dealing with "damaged goods'.
Now at this stage in life most do have a past and not properly healed, and I've found it can be a different ballgame.
.
.
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If I were not married I would ask you (imagine a rather childish voice...) "hey Crystal, wanna be my girlfriend?"
oh please don't reply, I know it's a no and you are the type who expect the guy to pay at restaurant, so it wouldn't work anyway

Ah, that's clear. So in general it's the guy who takes the initiative?

That's on a first date. After that it levels itself out. Wouldn't be right to have a guy pay for everything all the time :)
But I will do as you wish and refrain from answering.
A guy asking that question would make things a helluva easier though!! When not in a childish voice of course, hihi.

yes, not having a childish voice probably helps (no I don't have a childish voice nowadays)

I have never doubted when I am in a relationship crystal .

As for when it begins . When you have a connection that you both agree you want to pursue . Often there will be some sort of acknowledgment of exclusivity or commitment . Of course not everyone communicates the same and there can be crossed signals . Effective communication is key .

Very often (but the opposite happens too) men are in it for the sex and women for the hope of getting a family... I think it's just biology... but that is just the beginning, men start with that in mind but then fall in love too

Hey! Here Comes my Answer , A Japanese legend Says when you cant Sleep at Night that means you are awake in someone's Else's Dream . If you don't have this symptoms that means You are on Safe Side . and If you really have these symptoms that means you are in a Danger Zone !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
hahhahaahahahaaaaaaa !

I would just ask this person
WILL YOU PLEASE LET ME SLEEP???

Yes some sort of acknowledgement. I think it can come in various ways?
The danger is in the assuming because you feel that way and the other seems to be feeling the same. Then finding out the hard way that's not the case.
I have been there. Twice.