October 25th, 2010 by Megan Hughes
Casual Dating Rules…
People tend to think of anything past a first date as serious dating. The think that once they have gone beyond a first date, they have found someone that they want to be with. This is unfortunate, as people often give someone only one date to show them who they are. So first we should establish some casual dating rules!
Casual dating allows for you to actually get to know someone. Casual dating is comprised of the dates that you go on with someone after your first date. You are not officially dating, but you are spending time with one another to get to know each other. There are certain rules and guidelines that tend to dictate casual dating. These are just some of the major rules and understandings of casual dating.
You Are Not Official
One of the most important rules for you to understand when getting into casual dating with someone is that you cannot act like you are official. While you are getting to know each other, you are not officially dating.
This means that you need to consider your situation before reacting to specific actions. The individual may not want to talk to you for a few days, or may need to bail on a date for a friend. You are not officially dating, making these actions more acceptable. Take everything in stride and realize that you are both simply trying to feel each other out.
Exclusivity
One of the most confusing rules about casual dating comes in the form of exclusivity. There are some people who believe that anyone who is casually dating should not see other people. There are others who believe that it is ok to see multiple people at one time. The most important thing for you to do is to be on the same page as the other person in the casual dating relationship. If you feel that you have been “casually dating” for a longer period of time you can bring the situation up. They may not agree with what you want to do, but will help you to understand where you are both at in the “casual dating” relationship.
Meeting the Friends
If you are casually dating someone you may feel as if you are still in the “hang out” stage – that while you are working to impress the person you are interested in, you will not have to worry about anything else. Most individuals will actually introduce the person they are talking to to their friends during this period. It is important for you to realize that you need to impress the friends, even if you are only casual dating.
Casual dating is the best way for you to figure out whether or not you can have a working relationship with someone. While you may not be official, you are getting into something that could be considered more serious. In the end, communication is key – talking to one another will help you to understand what you are and what the boundaries of the relationship are. So what are your casual dating rules?
