5 Signs You’re Not Just Dating
Instead of playing the guessing games you and your partner should sit down and discuss the extent of your relationship.
By Collette Gee
A few days ago I was sitting outdoors having a coffee at this little French café when I overheard a conversation between a man and a woman. The woman, who sat alone at the table in front of me, called out to the man who was walking on the other side of the street, and summoned him to come over: “David,” she called out smiling.
“Hey Susan,” he responded while bending down to kiss her on her cheek. “Long time, no see.”
“Yeah, she responds politely, I haven’t seen you since we broke up.”
“What do you mean broke up? We were only dating.”
“Dating? She asked with a puzzled look on her face, how on earth could you consider us just dating, when we were sleeping together?”
“Well, Susan we were only hanging out. You know, having a good time.”
“O-M-G! You’ve got to be bleeping kidding me.”
Eeeeeeeeeeerrrrrrrrrck…
In just about every romantic movie, there comes that epiphanic moment when a couple must define their relationship. You know the scene. His bags are packed; he’s ready to go. Then suddenly! He drops his bags, turns towards the woman he realizes he can’t live without, and he asks her the question we’ve all been waiting for… “Will you be my wife?” They run into each other’s arms, look into each other’s eyes and kiss that long passionate kiss, and you sit there sobbing, dabbing your eyes with a tissue as the credits roll. Sigh!
Movies generally portray picture perfect relationships with a happy ending, however, in life, relationships are not quite so predictable — and that’s where “the talk” comes in. While many people prefer to keep the status of their relationship ambiguous — i.e. no pressure… a go with the flow mentality… Consider the alternative: after a few months of singles bars and online dating, you finally meet the most amazing guy. The two of you begin hanging out together: movies, dinners, and intimate encounters. Day’s turn into weeks, weeks into months, things are beginning to really heat up. Then, right before things get too serious, he decides to put the brakes on your budding relationship, and that awful day comes, that moment of truth, the one when you realize that “He,” never thought the two of you were in a relationship. And you… Just-want-to-die!
Dating Vs. Relationship
For some people, the terms dating and relationships are synonymous, while for others, “dating” is not that serious where “being in a relationship” represents commitment and exclusivity. So, how do you know if you’re dating or in a relationship? Well, you know you’re in a relationship when you and the person you’ve been dating have had a serious discussion defining whether you’re in a relationship or not; this is the best way to know. However, if you haven’t reached this point and you want to know, but you’re not quite ready to have “the talk,” here are a few telltale signs that can help you define whether you’re dating or in a relationship:
5 Signs You’re Not Just Dating:
He/she introduces you as their boyfriend or girlfriend.
It is common and to share a person’s connection to you when you introduce them, i.e. “This is my mother, Mary.” In some cases, and this is more common with men, they will try to pull the “I’m not into labels” card, but if he/she introduces you as “a friend,” that’s exactly what you are.
He/she asks you to meet their parents.
I always assume if someone is willing to introduce you to their parents, then clearly they’re serious about the relationship. However, it really depends on the parents, family, where everyone lives, etc… It’s certainly a better sign if the parents are familiar with you. However, you really need to ask what introducing you to the family means to them.
He/she gives you the key to their home.
This one is a no-brainer. If someone gives you the key to his or her home, assuming you are not the housekeeper, it’s safe to assume, it’s because you are living together and or you are in a serious committed relationship.
He/she updates their Facebook status to:
‘In a Relationship,’ ‘In a new relationship,’ one of the things people consider is whether to make the Facebook relationship status change. If this is something you’ve considered be sure to that you and your partner have had the talk about being exclusive or monogamous. Once that talk has happened, it’s safe to assume that you’re your sig-fig will accept a relationship request on Facebook.
You’ve had “the talk.”
Instead of playing the guessing games you and your partner should sit down and discuss the extent of your relationship. Unless the conversation has been had, don’t assume monogamy or exclusivity.
While these might be some great indicators that you and the person you’ve been seeing are doing more than just dating, they only best way to know is to have “the talk.”
Read more from The Good Men Project on Medium:
The story was previously published on The Good Men Project.
About Collette Gee
Collette Gee is a Relationship Specialist, Author, and Speaker who helps people create and sustain meaningful and successful relationships.
After being married and divorced, then back into a meaningful relationship, Collette realized that “Happily Ever After” wasn’t an ending, but a journey.
Inspired to help others discover where real love resides, she began her coaching business, showing people how to truly find their happily. Her mission is to help people love harmoniously and successfully.
Website FindingHappily.com Facebook