What Dating Means from Casual Dating, Speed Dating, and Beyond
Sick of lowering your expectations? Or sitting inside, hoping somebody out there in the world is your future partner? Well, if you’re starting to think about your romantic life or are ready to connect with people with the point of dating them, you’re in the right place!
No need to lower your romantic expectations as we look at the different words to describe dating styles between two people or more.
Defining the Term Dating
What dating means to a person can vary a lot. Such relationships, where you’re never thrown around the term dating, but you’re also pretty sure you’re dating someone, and nobody is seeing other guys, can be tricky. Even trickier is the question “Is this a first date?”.
If you’ve shared informed consent, conduct exclusive sexual activity with each other, and had some form of first date, then you’re probably dating someone and can use the term dating.
If you’ve been on one date, have only known someone a short period of time, or are talking to friends and it’s gotten a little bit cheeky, you’re probably not yet at the point of dating.
However, from past experiences, sometimes not hearing a commitment isn’t necessarily a lost cause. Some guys just suppose things and have poor communication skills, especially around subjects like commitment. Speaking of communication, if you suppose you might be dating but feel like it’s past the point of asking, just ask anyway. Stand tall, make eye contact, and ask the person to describe the relationship.
Just be sure to manage expectations, as for some guys, the word boyfriend feels like a big commitment!
Long Distance Dating
Sending cute videos to your boyfriend, navigating time zones, or sending romantic words in letters very much count towards a relationship. Even if two people don’t meet up face to face very often, the key is in the communication.
If two people have made a commitment to a long distance relationship, then they are definitely dating. Long distance dating means that sometimes, the relationship or dating part might look a bit different to friends’ relationships. You might spend more time talking on the phone, for example, and sharing your life online.
The point is, though, if your partner is happy to be your partner and you’re happy to be their partner, you guys can be happy in your commitment!
Casual Dating
For some people, this is where the boundary blurring can happen. Casual dating is an example of a term we hear a lot, but it’s also an example of a term thrown around to the point that every person you speak to has a different take on it.
Casual dating means casual sex, low commitment, and the possibility that the relationship is purely physical. For some people, this is a friends with benefits situation, and for others, it is just another kind of relationship.
If you do happen to have a casual partner with whom you have sex or other forms of intimacy with, it’s important to form an understanding to allow you guys to meet and connect without harming each other. This can be for both physical and romantic reasons!
Group Dating
Group dating does not sound romantic, but honestly, it’s a pretty fun way to meet people! You may have seen videos where, in some cultures, it’s common to meet a potential boyfriend with your closest friends until you form a real relationship.
It’s a great way to hear some fun stories with friends, and allows you to meet safely in public places, which is great for meeting someone for the first time. You should always choose public places to meet a potential new partner, or take a friend or trusted person with you to stay safe.
Blind Dating
Blind dating is a bit of a throwback term because it usually means a person close to both partners has set up the date. This is not like an arranged marriage situation, but more like a vibe of if the partner and you end up in a marriage one day, the person who set you up would get a wedding speech mention.
If you truly trust the person introducing you to the partner, then it is a really fun way to meet someone new. One of the biggest bonuses is that if you’re close to the person who has set the date up, you will hopefully meet someone quite compatible!
Speed Dating
If your only hope is to meet a bunch of people very quickly and choose between them, then hope no more; speed dating is what you need.
You will normally get some form of questionnaire at the start of the event to say things like if you want kids, feelings towards sex and intimacy, what you want to hear from a partner, and what kind of relationship you’re looking for.
Of course, this style of dating definitely increases your chances of finding a partner who wants a relationship with you, as the partner has all the vital factors that make up a relationship right in front of them!
Online Dating Someone with a Strong Emotional Connection
You might meet a partner online and form a deep relationship with them through online dating. They’ve made entire dating and relationship TV shows based on the concept of getting to know a partner online only, so there’s no reason why you cannot start a relationship like this.
If you do meet a partner online and start dating, be careful with what you send them. Never send money or indecent images to your partner, as both could be used against you.
However, many people meet their partner online dating these days, so there is no reason why you cannot have a happy relationship!
Explore Romantic Relationships with Taimi
Start dating with Taimi today and enjoy video chats, modern relationships, and perhaps even a long term relationship that leads to marriage. Whether you want a husband or a boyfriend, a relationship with more than two people, a long distance fling, loads of kids, or just about anything else, Taimi allows you to make individual choices based on exactly what you want.
Find the romantic relationships of your dreams today with Taimi!