12-31-2009, 06:45 AM
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.
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.