Differences Between Dating & Relationship

Most people don’t seem to understand that, there is a difference between dating and relationships. A relationship is the real game while dating appears like a rehearsal. It actually feels hard to get yourself into but once you make an effort, it would be worth it. Moving from one stage to another with a person you want to have as a partner could be very hard especially if you are picking it from a friendship or casual dating path to a relationship. There is always a higher possibility that most dating leads to relationships.

Dating

Dating is an ordinary thing we do most of the time. It is simply an instance where one hangs out with people and spend some time with them having fun or doing what they love to do at the moment. Dating is also a romantic moment spent with another person but more specifically with no sexual intention backing it; even if it happens, it was for fun and no strings attached. It is during dating that couples get to know each other inside and out and establish a unique connection between them. When dating someone, it means your meeting is specific and purposeful. You can use the term ‘friend with benefits’ or ‘hooking up‘ to explain the stance of dating in our lives. In as much as dating is ordinary, it has a bit of romantic (not sexual) connotation where the couple foresees building that into a relationship. People can have sex when dating though but in this case, they are not in a relationship. They are just having fun and living their best life to see if they fit each other. If everything goes according to their expectations, then they promote their acquaintanceship to a more dedicated relationship. If not, they say goodbye to each other. So dating someone does not necessarily mean you’re in a relationship with him/her.

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Relationship

A relationship in a romantic context is a union between two people characterized by a common feeling of admiration and attraction for each other. Relationships deal with having a great and honest intimacy and commitment with each other. Being in a real or honest relationship is not an easy thing to come by or live with. It involves sacrifices and commitment. Falling in love is easy but knowing how to keep the person is the hardest part of all. You can be approved to be in a relationship with someone but keeping the relationship alive and growing is also the toughest assignment.

When you’re in a relationship, means you’re giving your all; time, affection, trust, commitment, resources, attention and everything to that person. That is why, when they mess up, we get hurt down to our core. Saying ‘I Love You’ can earn you a spot in this sense but that cannot make it stand forever. It takes hard work and dedication to make it work for a lifetime. While in love, as Terry Hatkoff, a California State University sociologist has created; six types of love found in relationships.

Romantic: This is based on your passion and sexual attraction to your partner.

Logical: This is your practical feelings based on financial goals, religion, values etc.

Best Friends: This is also based on your closeness, fondness and affection for your partner.

Unselfish: This is the state of growing kindness, commitment and sacrifice within the relationship.

Playful: This is the feeling awoken by flirtation or feeling challenged by your partner.

Possessive: This is the state of feeling obsessed and jealous.

The best relationship does not work on a friendship basis though the best lovers should be friends with each other. It doesn’t have to be too serious. Also in a relationship, the presence of ‘sex’ isn’t one day fun. It is backed with emotion, affection and true love, unlike dating. People who are in a relationship share most of their intimacy, future, time and resources together.

Dating ➡️ Relationship

Relationship ➡️ Marriage

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5 Differences Between Dating & Relationship

As we have discussed above, relationships and dating walk on different paths. However, let’s check out the main differences between the two.

Relationship Is True Commitment | Dating Has No Strings

The level of commitment that’s expected from people who are in a relationship is far bigger than those who are just dating. Because dating is just for fun, no one is expecting anything big or honest from it. People who are dating are free to do anything they want. They can go out with anyone they want or hang out with anyone they feel like hanging out with. But for a relationship, you’re stuck to your partner. You are not required to go out or hang out with someone(especially a different woman or man) without the consent of your partner. Dating has no lifespan or promises exchanged but for a relationship, both partners look forward to the future and expect to see themselves married. Jealousy, envy and protectiveness is relationship behaviour. Dating is a free world; you do what you want at any time and anywhere.

Relationship Is A Serious Deal | Dating Can Be Playful

Dating can be fun, factually. This is because you’re not stuck to one person. You can be dating more than one person in a quest to find who fits you or just having fun. Dating exposes you to the world of romance where no one cares about who they come across. They are just having fun. Relationships don’t work that way. If you’re in a relationship with someone, they expect you to give them all your heart and attention. You are not required to share your heart with anyone else apart from your partner. In a relationship, you’re required to be straight with your decisions and intentions. You’ve got to be more sincere with yourself and your partner.

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Relationship Is Long-term Intended | Dating Is Short-term Intended

As discussed, dating can grow to a relationship level but not always just like a relationship can grow to a marriage level but not all the time. But the main point is the intention from the onset. People who’re in an honest and positive intended relationship always see each other getting old together. Dating is more like a trial. That’s when a person begins to test to see whom he or she is compatible with.

Most honest relationship leads to marriage. It all depends on your intention since day one. If you intend to love that person faithfully with all you have, then there is a possibility that it will work out just as you planned but if it’s for your personal gains, you’ll equally be served just as you planned. Because dating has no rules or any form of official commitment or dedication, everyone is free to do whatever he or she likes but a relationship treks with rules and policies you must adhere to experience its effectiveness.

Relationship Prepares You For The Future|Dating Is Temporary

Relationship helps people to grow positively. It teaches people how to live well with others. Thanks to the dos and don’ts. These rules guiding the activities in a relationship has helped many people live a chaste, healthy and prosperous life in their existence. It teaches us to be patient, content, brave, transparent, kind, loving and supportive to everyone. While in a relationship, all see themselves in the future; so they try every possible means to maintain the quality of the relationship no matter what happens. Amid problems, they find solutions and deal with them. In times of enjoyment, they have fun and move on with their lives. Whereas in dating, the main motive steering it is having fun and nurturing the heart to see its compatibility or fitness. Everyone can dump/neglect you at any time without any reason because it’s not formal.

Relationship Establishes Partnership | Dating Establishes Independence

When you’re in a relationship with someone, you share almost everything together, do everything together and share common feelings better than those who’re dating. In a relationship, you tend to understand the need to involve your partner in all you do because of your idea of long-term planning. You are taught to be a good team player, share your worries, grievances, happiness, fondness and plans with someone. Relationship Prepares you well for the future. It teaches you how and when to react and when not to. Whereas, dating is a free world where people can choose to share their problems, plans or there worries with their partners. People have the independence to do whatever suits them without being questioned.

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Dating & Relationship: Which Is Better?

To learn the number ‘5‘ you need to start from ‘1‘. You should remember that being in a relationship and dating are two unlike things. Both exposes you to a different world full of possibilities and impossibilities. They all teach you how to live with people but relationship does it better. Neither relationship nor dating is a bad idea; they all carry different experiences to teach you.

Therefore, it all depends on how far you look. Dating being temporary, helps you to meet people and have fun with no decree of assurance of being lively in the future. Nevertheless, relationship helps you know how to stick with someone for a lifetime without moving around chasing people. How far do you want to keep that person? If it’s for a lifetime, it’s best to be in a relationship with him/her.

In other words, you can choose to date someone to know them better. Knowing someone you love better helps you to live with them without having any problems. Even in times of problems, you will get solutions more easily than if you don’t know that person. Whatever be the case, relationship is always the best choice for everyone. It leads you in the right direction towards your future with just one person.

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