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The Meaning Of Dating In A Relationship

If you're confused about the differences between dating and being in a relationship, read on.

By NizolePublished about a year ago 4 min read
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When someone is dating, they refer to their partner as their boyfriend or girlfriend, whereas single people refer to their companions as "someone they're dating." Being in a relationship is quite different than just dating. Although they both point in the same general direction, they have tiny differences that result in two quite distinct elements of being with someone.

In case you're unsure, here are some clear distinctions between dating and being in a relationship.

Mutuality

Having your own conception of what dating and relationships are is one of the main differences between the two. Dating is different from partnerships in that it is not based on mutual understanding and trust. Casual dating doesn't work for everyone. The notion of exclusivity when dating might vary. Some individuals like to date one other only, whilst others want to date other people and aren't interested in committing to just one person.

Commitment

This is a no-brainer. The foundation of a relationship—and the reason it qualifies as such—is commitment. While dating (most of the time) lacks any type of commitment, people commit to staying together and look forward to a future together. When someone are dating, their sole commitment can be to go have an ice cream after dinner.

Communication

In a relationship as opposed to while dating, communication is quite different. You will talk to your spouse often and about everything when you are in a relationship. Whether it's urging them to snore a bit less as they sleep or sharing intimate things from your history with them! Dating is unique. There is little, simple, and not much inner communication. Couples who are dating often engage in informal conversation or decisions about where to dine next.

What does dating truly mean?

Since the word "dating" is used so casually and often incorrectly, most of the time it is used to refer to relationship stages that it doesn't really describe.

The word "dating" has spread into everyday use. Even my 12-year-old tells me that her closest friend is dating a student from their class since it is so prevalent. She was questioned about her understanding of dating. Daughter responded quickly: "They are dating" if two individuals express their feelings for one another and keep their relationship going till they decide to part ways.

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This is the most straightforward explanation I've heard thus far. It is pretty typical for many people to likewise believe that this is what dating entails - that you begin to "date" someone when you routinely go on more dates with them. The definition provided by the Cambridge Dictionary, which states that dating is defined as "to often spend time with someone you have a romantic connection with," is also insufficient.

Dating someone, however, is not now seen as being in a relationship with them. In reality, dating serves more as a stepping stone towards a relationship where one may fall in love and get to know someone. Being in a relationship happens much later, when the dating partners have made a commitment to one another, do not desire to date anyone else, and want to develop their mutual connection.

A 30-year-old client of mine named V, for instance, believes that he is "actively dating" when he takes the effort to go on as many dates as he can. V uses a calculation based on four dates. In other words, he tries to go on more than four dates with a single lady. He won't "date her exclusively" till that time. And only then should they think about entering a committed relationship or possibly getting married. V has gone on a lot of dates, but he hasn't gone beyond the fourth one with any lady. He discovered the four-date rule while reading an unrelated article.

Then there is 27-year-old R, who is now interested in "casual dating." She finds it difficult to communicate to her dates that she is just wanting to hang out and is not searching for something serious. R loves the company of guys and does not feel the need to apologize for not wanting to date exclusively or even in a committed relationship. R will undoubtedly get married, but not before she reaches the age of 30. She thinks that the more people she meets, the more she would come to understand who she is and what type of mate she desires.

Additionally, I had a customer named M who wanted to keep "dating numerous individuals" at the same time. For anybody, even him, this situation wasn't ideal. No matter how open he was about not being exclusive with the people he was seeing, he was unable to escape the emotional toll it had on both these ladies and him.

This just serves to emphasize the fact that, even if you go on frequent dates with someone, you shouldn't assume that they are merely interested in you as a date or that they are sincere about wanting to date you.

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Nizole

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