For me, one who is choosing not to marry again (perhaps a commitment ceremony if we feel so inclined at some point), my definitions stop at relationship, but I would go so far as to say it is indeed a life-long relationship. We’re in it for that long haul into the twilight years. By the way, I love the term courting, and I think we could use a little more old fashioned in the dating realm.

I think “relationship” is the end of the titles for me. After that would be marriage. Here’s a question, do you always have to have “the talk” before you go from “dating” to “relationship”, or is it sometimes implied? That is never a comfortable conversation to have.

My definitions would be the same with the exception of courting (I’ve just never put it that way but it seems about right.
Anyway, it’s fun to see how men may see these. I asked a guy friend who is conveniently sitting beside me and he commented on them in a really interesting way. I put his remarks here for your benefit too

While you think you’re “talking”:
He’s trying to figure you out and see if he wants to see you more. This is a very loose period- he’s trying to figure out if you’re a no go, a potential sexual partner or actual dating material.

While you think you’re “dating”:
He thinks you’re “hanging out”. He agrees that he can hang out with other people. This is a very casual relationship.

The intermediate stage of what he calls “getting serious”:
He wants to see you more often and will spend a considerable amount of time thinking about you. He starts making you a priority in his life. You start hanging out more often and frequently.

While you think you’re in a “relationship”: He agrees that this is the exclusive stage of being boyfriend/girlfriend. You’re an important part of his life but not important enough for him not to pull the plug. P says this is usually the first year of his relationships.

What you consider “courting”: He internally refers to you as his “wifey”. He’s on the steady path with you and he likes it. He can see a future with you. You’re a permanent fixture in his life. If this relationship ends, he will get belligerently drunk and either throw up several times in a bush outside the local bar or shower you with multiple phone calls and visits at 4 AM in the morning (he speaks from personal experience).

I thought that “Talking” was a term exclusively used at my college in DC until now ! (Well, our definition sometimes includes sex)…very good summary!

Here’s a question, do you always have to have “the talk” before you go from “dating” to “relationship”, or is it sometimes implied?

You ALWAYS have to have a talk any time you or your partner want the dynamics to be different-just to make sure you’re on exactly the same page (because, as stated, some people have different ideas about what these words mean).

Pracuj dla przyjemności a więc w taki sposób by była ona pożyteczna dla wszsytkich a przekonasz się, że będziesz miec więcej niż do życia potrzebujesz.

I agree with all those terms. I’m from MA, living in TN. My friends and I use those terms all the time. We also use a term called ‘The application process’ which means a guy is on the way to the dating stage. Courting usually means you are very close to an engagement.

Good stuff!

what does it mean, when a girl tells you-I’m still trying to figure you out, after going on the most perfect first and second date?

What is a date really, but a job interview that lasts all night? The only difference is that in not many job interviews is there a chance you’ll wind up naked at the end of it.