#DatingQuestion: What’s the difference between dating someone and seeing someone?

Last Update : February 19, 2019 by Zoe

If you’ve met someone and you’re starting to see each other, you might be asking yourself one of the most common dating questions: What’s the difference between dating someone and seeing someone?

Indeed a tricky question!

When can you say that you’re in a couple? Does dating mean that you are in a relationship? If you’re seeing someone does that mean that you are exclusive?

Let’s explore together the subtleties of dating:

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The difference between dating and seeing someone: The dating stages

There are subtle differences when it comes to dating or seeing someone.

They usually represent different phases: from meeting someone until the moment you start building a romantic relationship.

Seeing someone

As such, when you start seeing someone, it usually represents the early stages of a potential relationship. It is the time to get to know each other. It doesn’t always involve exclusivity, although it really depends on the specific case.

When you’re seeing someone, it tends to be just the two of you. You get to learn about your personalities and you might start to introduce her/him to your group of friends. Although when you start to introduce him/her to your circle of friends and family it usually represents the transition from seeing someone to dating someone.

Read more: When does a relationship become exclusive?

Dating someone

When you start dating someone, it usually involves exclusivity. It also means that you know each other a little bit and there’s chemistry. It definitely also involves a certain commitment.

Your personalities and interest seem to be compatible and you’re starting to share more intimate dates.

Dating someone represents the first stages of a meaningful and committed relationship. It is usually the phase when you start to develop strong feelings and emotions towards someone.

Exploring the context when dating and seeing someone: can you casually date someone?

You might be wondering: How long should you casually date someone?

The secret is honesty and communication.

If when you start to see someone you both agree that you like to keep it casual then you can really casually date someone for as long it is convenient to both of you.

If you are completely transparent from the beginning about your expectations and you efficiently communicate them, both of you should be able to enjoy your relationship without any misunderstanding.

Obviously, you should use some common sense. If you’re just starting to see someone and you don’t have any clear expectations (meaning that you’d be ok if it only lasts for a couple of weeks and you’d also be ok if it start to evolve and you end up marrying one day), it doesn’t mean that you have to specifically communicate that!

However, it is important to show your interest (if there is, or to communicate the lack of interest if it’s the case), and to share with your partner that you’re open to explore together where your relationship can bring you?

Seeing someone and dating someone are the early (and very exciting!) phases of a relationship.

Make the most of it!

Read more: when is it the right time to tell someone you like them?