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If you and your friends are having a lively discussion about what exactly constitutes a “date,” you’ll soon find that a patchwork of answers and opinions will surface. That’s because the concept of a “date” covers a pretty broad spectrum. What may be a date to you, may be interpreted very differently by someone else. So let’s dig in and explore the mysterious world of dating.
The official definition of ‘date’
There are different ways to describe the term ‘date’. But Van Dale has the answer we are looking for: a date or the person you have a date with.
date (meervoud: dates)
1. (m) date
2. (m/f/x) the person you have a date with
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Meanings of ‘a date’
The word ‘date’ can be used in different ways. It can refer to the person you are meeting, but it can also describe the actual date itself. Here are the three different meanings:
- The person you are dating
- A date with a potential partner
- A date with a stranger
When people talk about a “date,” it’s usually about the first two meanings. It’s either about meeting a potential love partner or naming that potential love partner itself.
- Describing the person: “My date didn’t want to go past first base, unfortunately.”
- Describing the date: “My date went like a fairy tale.”
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What you do doesn’t matter
If you think dating still happens like the classic movie scenes where a gallant gentleman greets you with a bouquet of flowers and lets you win at mini golf, we have to disappoint you. The modern date looks quite different after the turn of the millennium. Think cozy drinks together at home or simply Netflix and chill – yes, that counts as a date these days.
Whether you opt for a traditional romantic date in that fancy candlelit restaurant or you go for a more relaxed vibe with a picnic in the park, a date is what you make of it.
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What is not a date
Let’s be clear, a business meeting or a casual drink with a colleague is not a date. At least, it is not if there is no mutual romantic or sexual interest. For example, if you meet someone – who you don’t know – to discuss a business joint venture, it is not a date.
10 Examples of What Is Not a Date
- Going shopping with a friend
- A meeting at work
- A family gathering
- A doctor’s appointment
- A chance meeting in the supermarket
- A job interview
- A dinner with friends
- A visit to the dentist
- Attending a sporting event with colleagues
- An evening at a friend’s house
A real date is more than just being together. It’s about the intention to get to know each other better and spend quality time together. In other words: it’s not a date if you meet someone for a purpose other than starting a relationship or having sex .
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What does ‘dating’ mean?
Dating is like an adventure full of possibilities. It’s a bit like a magical journey into the unknown, a journey where you meet someone new (or multiple people), and who knows, maybe even that special someone. It all starts with a spark, a connection, or a curiosity to get to know someone better .
dates (plural: (dated, has dated) )
1 to have or make a date (1)
Some people date just to have fun and make new friends , while others are looking for that special someone with whom they can build a deep connection. It’s a bit like a treasure hunt; you never know what you’ll discover. It’s a chance to gain new experiences and maybe even write an amazing love story.
When two people meet regularly and “date” they are actually in the early stages of a potential romantic relationship. It is not yet an official relationship, there are no Facebook status updates and usually the families have not met yet. Dating is that discovery phase where it is not yet entirely clear whether the spark will ignite into a serious relationship. Even after the first date, and often even after the second, it is still dating.
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