Grey area between dating, seeing each other and going out with each other

This afternoon over lunch, my friends and I discussed what exactly is the difference between dating, seeing each other and going out with each other. We all came up with different 'definitions', I personally saw seeing each other as pretty much the same as going out with each other.

What are other peoples definitions of these various terms because I find them all rather confusing.

Reply 1

Helenia

Well, I personally never use the word "dating" but my boyfriend does, and to him it means pretty much the same thing as going out - he refers to us as "dating." For other people, I think it means something a lot more casual though. Seeing each other is slightly less commitment, I think - you haven't yet decided if you want a relationship, and it might not necessarily be entirely exclusive. But really these things can't be defined in a way that everyone will agree with.

Reply 2

dh00001

i think of seeing each other as getting to know one another and being in the intial stages of a relationship without having any serious connection

Reply 3

FrisbeeFan

As far as I'm concerned, it's more black and white than that. 'Dating' is far more of an American concept than it is British. I always think of it as being the same as going out with someone. Even if I used the term, I wouldn't have claimed to be dating my boyfriend until after he'd asked me out.

Reply 4

Francophobia

I generally consider the phrase 'seeing each other' to be a euphemism for 'in a sexual relationship', and 'dating' and 'going out with' to be synonyms for 'in a relationship.'