Dating is an age old social activity practiced in Western cultures through out the world where two individuals meet socially usually with the objective of each evaluating the other’s suitability as an eventual partner in a potential romantic relationship in the future. In some cultures, dating continues on for several years until one person decides to take the next step and marry. It could be a religious ceremony between family members or done for purely social reasons such as in arranged marriages or friendship/love matches.
In some Eastern cultures, hanging out dates are sometimes used to develop romantic relationship between two friends or lovers. The term “hanging out” is actually an American innovation referring to casual, non-professional meetings involving two people who know each other well enough to hang out with each other regularly without the need for commitment. These dates may include neighborhood events, neighborhood dinners, hanging out at a friend’s house after work or hanging out at a friend’s club for entertainment and conversation. In some instances, hanging out may involve frequent visits to a popular hangout spot or the favorite sports bar. In general, hanging out dates are not preplanned, but are more spontaneous and could last anywhere from a few hours to several days.
For the modern adult, dating can have a somewhat different meaning than the dating purgatory of the past. Dating has become a fun, interesting, often rewarding activity with many potential outcomes. This may not be the time to ask if someone has ED or clogged arteries, but instead, to keep conversation light and engaging. Dating can be defined as a point at which two people who are interested in seeing someone else come together in order to spend time together. This “spending time together” period can also include one-night stands or even longer periods of “dating.”
As a generalization, the word “dinner” would most likely be used to refer to any type of casual dating, regardless of the culture or time period. One of the first rules of dating is that the “hooking up” phrase (which is also the term used to describe a first date) should never be used when looking for a casual relationship. There is nothing more disappointing or disastrous than seeing someone fall in love with you based solely on a “hooking up” experience. A better phrase would be a casual fling. If you are planning on spending time with someone new, try to focus your conversations around something more serious and meaningful than having a “hooking up” experience. That way, you will have a much higher chance of success.
A great way to keep your dating life interesting and diverse is to take it on slow. It is important that you don’t go from being a single person to being involved in a serious relationship too quickly. This will probably mean hanging out with friends and family for longer periods of time, but it will also mean adding a little spice and variety into your life. It is best to not get too caught up in the daily challenges of life and try to find time to focus on building a lasting relationship. The more depth there is in your relationship, the more likely you are to make a long term commitment.
Don’t forget about the big picture: When it comes to dating someone, it is important to remember that you are in this together. You don’t have to hang out exclusively at their expense or spend every waking minute of your time together. Take it slow and build a friendship instead. If they appreciate the amount of attention you give them, they won’t be likely to dump you or hookup just to hang out with someone.
