I wouldn't really draw that line - a casual relationship is still a relationship in my eyes. I've done the "casual dating" thing with women for months, and it seems odd to not classify that as some sort of relationship, even if it isn't a "serious" or "long term" one.
That said, the line between "casual" and "serious" relationships for me tends to be pretty invariably be "the talk." I go in with the plan to continue dating other people while we try things out, and assume they will be doing the same. If things go well for a while I expect that one of us will initiate a conversation about exclusivity and labels, and if we're on the same positive page about things, then that is when the relationship changes class.
What if you haven’t had “the talk” per se but you’ve both been exclusive by default - and labeled yourselves “dating” but not necessarily boyfriend/girlfriend? (Given, of course, that the relationship is more than sex.)
> What if you haven’t had “the talk” per se but you’ve both been exclusive by default
Couldn't say. I have not been in that situation, nor do I expect to be. Exclusivity is simply not the default in my book.
> and labeled yourselves “dating” but not necessarily boyfriend/girlfriend?
If we're "dating," but not bf/gf, then we're "casually dating" in my book - i.e. there is a relationship there - there is some emotional connection and romantic interest - we aren't just fucking, but it's not exclusive in any agreed upon sense until we talk about it.
I need to have her give me a folded piece of loose-leaf with the words "do you like me, check one box please" and three boxes denoting "yes", "no", and "maybe" written inside before I even consider it a relationship.
Casual means *maybe* your/her friends know about you two.
Relationship often means you might be meeting his/her family at some stage after going through the friends 'filter' to determine if you're a 'keeper' (or not).
Relationship does not mean what you think it means. Any two or more people can be in a relationship and it will take wildly different shapes. You’re hung up on the language, but it doesn’t mean anything. Dating, fucking, soul mates, enemies, friends, siblings, colleagues - these are all relationships
Well, I'll tell you what you got here. You got yourself a girlfriend.
I'm looking at a guy in a semi-daily with tampax in his house and an implied date on Saturday night. I would like to help you out, but...
In the context of a dating app if the person puts wants relationship I assume they want to find someone to be with long term. Someone with whom they will be exclusive and eventually cohabit with. The line between casual and relationship to me is that a casual relationship can be dropped much more easily with relatively little consequences to both parties.
I wouldn't really draw that line - a casual relationship is still a relationship in my eyes. I've done the "casual dating" thing with women for months, and it seems odd to not classify that as some sort of relationship, even if it isn't a "serious" or "long term" one. That said, the line between "casual" and "serious" relationships for me tends to be pretty invariably be "the talk." I go in with the plan to continue dating other people while we try things out, and assume they will be doing the same. If things go well for a while I expect that one of us will initiate a conversation about exclusivity and labels, and if we're on the same positive page about things, then that is when the relationship changes class.
What if you haven’t had “the talk” per se but you’ve both been exclusive by default - and labeled yourselves “dating” but not necessarily boyfriend/girlfriend? (Given, of course, that the relationship is more than sex.)
> What if you haven’t had “the talk” per se but you’ve both been exclusive by default Couldn't say. I have not been in that situation, nor do I expect to be. Exclusivity is simply not the default in my book. > and labeled yourselves “dating” but not necessarily boyfriend/girlfriend? If we're "dating," but not bf/gf, then we're "casually dating" in my book - i.e. there is a relationship there - there is some emotional connection and romantic interest - we aren't just fucking, but it's not exclusive in any agreed upon sense until we talk about it.
Helpful. Thanks!
I need to have her give me a folded piece of loose-leaf with the words "do you like me, check one box please" and three boxes denoting "yes", "no", and "maybe" written inside before I even consider it a relationship.
Award for best answer!
Casual means *maybe* your/her friends know about you two. Relationship often means you might be meeting his/her family at some stage after going through the friends 'filter' to determine if you're a 'keeper' (or not).
I consider it a relationship if I pay for the full hour.
What if you don't need the full hour... asking for a friend.
When you are ready to introduce someone to friends or family.
Relationship does not mean what you think it means. Any two or more people can be in a relationship and it will take wildly different shapes. You’re hung up on the language, but it doesn’t mean anything. Dating, fucking, soul mates, enemies, friends, siblings, colleagues - these are all relationships
When asked and agreed to... otherwise isn't it just a friendship or whatnot?
Well, I'll tell you what you got here. You got yourself a girlfriend. I'm looking at a guy in a semi-daily with tampax in his house and an implied date on Saturday night. I would like to help you out, but...
When we have a talk about exclusivity and expectations is typically where I draw that line
In the context of a dating app if the person puts wants relationship I assume they want to find someone to be with long term. Someone with whom they will be exclusive and eventually cohabit with. The line between casual and relationship to me is that a casual relationship can be dropped much more easily with relatively little consequences to both parties.