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Play the dating game… and win it!
Take note: The Reader’s Digest Universal Dictionary defines dating as ”to have social engagements with a person of the opposite sex“
I see dating as the whole middle ground between friends and lovers. It is what you do with people you liked, but with whom you weren’t necessarily in love. It is something you do just to have fun. Falling in love is an option.
But somewhere along the way, this middle ground was lost. Nowadays, dating has come to be equated with boyfriend/girlfriend. When one says, ”Carol and Peter have been dating for two years“, it has taken to mean they have been boyfriend/girlfriend for two years.
Maybe this is how the word has evolved but I still prefer to view dating as a middle ground. Looking at it this way takes away the pressure from trying to be liked by your date. Just because you went out on a date with someone does not mean you should put him in a ”potential boyfriend“ category. He is simply someone who likes you enough to ask you out and he is someone you like enough to go out with.
To get the most out of your dating adventures, remember:
When you’re dating…you’re just dating
Every relationship is casual until proven otherwise
Remember the dating mantra, ”Under five minutes is just friendly“. A good night kiss these days does not mean anything. So don’t put any meaning into it.
You must have your yardstick. And it must be realistic. Until he has said, ”I want you“, ”I want to be with you“, until your Friday and Saturday night dates are assumed, until you have had that Big Serious talk, you are just friends. Maybe more than friends, but you have not crossed the border yet. Which brings me to point no. 2.
You are allowed to date as many people as you please
Some women make the mistake of being instantly faithful to a dating partner. As I have pointed out earlier, until he has expressed interest in a committed, exclusive relationship, you should not be passing up other opportunities. You are still allowed to look for number 1. In fact, until you are officially an item, you should go out with as many worthwhile dates as possible. This way, you learn to enjoy dating for what it is meant to be.
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