To go on a "date" means to go out for dinner, coffee, a movie, or some other event where the two of you are together for a brief period of time (e.g., a couple of hours), and there is the *possibility* of romantic interest. It doesn't mean anything beyond that, although some people attach a lot more significance to this than others, due to their beliefs.

To be "dating" is to be regularly going out with a particular woman, as a progression in the process of courtship, but without any kind of commitment. It can also mean that you are actively going on dates with different women.

A "relationship," in the context of romance, means there is a mutual commitment to continue on seeing one another, or being with one another, for romantic purposes. The level of commitment, and the type of relationship, can vary widely. Examples include occasional f-ck buddy, lover, mistress, casual relationship, temporary relationship, open relationship, exclusive relationship, serious relationship, marriage with children, etc. There is indeed a wide continuum, although the term has traditionally been used to refer to something more than a casual relationship, but less than a marriage.

The distinction between "dating" and "being in a relationship" can be blurry. But usually the former is a temporary stage while the latter is more enduring.

If a girl asks you out on a date, it means she is interested in you. But, you shouldn't assume anything more. She can't possibly know if she wants a relationship with you or not because she doesn't know you well enough. She needs to spend time with you in order to make that determination. By asking her, you are forcing her to choose a position--and the only position she can honestly choose is a negative one (because she can't explain all this stuff). It's better if you don't ask.

Consider the following factors to know whether it is Dating or a Relationship



* Commitment – If you feel that your partner is too special for you to be dating other people and you get the same sentiment in return, it is commitment. If one or both of you do not feel like it, consider it to be dating and you are not in a relationship.
* If you feel that you are in a relationship, be clear about it by having a direct conversation on it. Dating and relationship can become very turbulent due to poor communication on such crucial issues. Be clear about your relationship status with your partner.
* There will come a time when you will need affirmation from your partner about being exclusive. Face the situation and talk to your partner about it in person. Emails and even phone calls are not the best medium for expressing this as they can allow miscommunication. If your date or partner dilly dallies on such a crucial question, it might well be a red flag.
* You need to see through a person if he is being manipulative. There can be situations when the person has admitted that he/she would not have a committed relationship but is very possessive about your contacts with other people or potential suitors. Others may be just the opposite, affirming that they want a long-term relationship but still see other people. One needs to avoid such people as much as possible.



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White dating

The difference is the level of commitment. "Dating" connotes a casual thing, not necessarily exclusive. When a person says "I'm dating Bill" instead of "Bill is my boyfriend", you can probably guess the relationship is relatively new and no commitment has been made.



When you've decided you're in a relationship, you'll probably start referring to one another as boyfriend/girlfriend. You'll introduce each other to your close friends and family. You'll likely spend a LOT of time together, and may take it for granted that you'll see each other certain nights and weekends. Depending on your lifestyle, you may agree to make your relationship exclusive and stop seeing other people.


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Maurice Cullen