How do you know if you and the person you’ve been seeing are dating exclusively? That’s what we’re going to talk about here. The world of dating can be complicated and filled with all sorts of awkward moments. It might be almost impossible for some to tell if they’re exclusively dating someone else. But, there are always a few telltale signs that things are shifting in the relationship.
Hopefully, you’ll be able to tell if you’re in such a relationship and what to do if the big moment arises. The most important thing by far is to enjoy the entire dating experience.
Not every relationship will become exclusive, and it’s natural for some to fizzle out.
What does dating exclusively mean?
Dating exclusively means that the two of you aren’t seeing anyone else. The two of you are dating each other and no one else. Some people are serial daters who date several people at the same time.
All of that changes when you go exclusive.
You’ll only date that person and no one else. It may be difficult for some to adjust to only dating one person, but it shouldn’t be that big of an ordeal. You’ll know when the time is right because no one will be as interesting as the person you’re with.
What does exclusive mean to a guy?
That’s the big question that many want to be answered. The way guys and girls see exclusive is different. Sure, in some ways, it has the same meaning. You’re only dating one person, and that’s it.
Though, it can be a little different for some of the guys out there.
How so? You might have a man who has a wandering eye. It’s sometimes natural for a guy to keep an eye out for available females that he might be interested in.
All of this changes once a guy begins to go exclusive.
That doesn’t mean a man immediately becomes blind to all the other women around him. Anyone who thinks that is a fool. A guy eases into dating exclusively with a girl. It’s like stepping into a bathtub that’s a little too hot at first. It takes time to get used to the temperature, and the same thing can be said about dating exclusively.
It’s not like a light switch has been turned off and on. There’s a little time in between when his eyes are fixated on many things and then only onto the girl of his dreams.
What is the difference between dating and being exclusive?
Dating
There is a huge difference between dating and being exclusive. Dating is the process in which you try to find someone you’re compatible with. Everyone has heard about first dates that go nowhere.
You go out for a cup of coffee and never hear from the person again. It’s not uncommon in the least for people to immediately realize that they’re not right for each other. If there are any doubts, usually a few more dates and you will know for sure.
Dating is a relationship that is stronger than friendship, but it still hasn’t blossomed into something serious.
Exclusive dating
An exclusive relationship is when you date no one else. You’re not going down the path of being married or anything like that. What you’re saying to each other is we want to give being a couple a try.
It’s a test run for being in a long term relationship.
Sometimes going the exclusive route doesn’t work as both of you learn more about each other.
The exclusive part allows both of you to learn much more to see if it will work. Since no one is dating anyone else, there is also a feeling of less competition. You don’t have to compete for the attention or time of the other person. You have them all to yourself, and that means the relationship can now grow into something more serious if the relationship blossoms.
How many dates should you go on before being exclusive?
This is a common question daters tend to have, but there’s no one size fits all answer. It would be unreasonable to think that you’d know if the two of you were ready for more commitment after the first date. The same thing could also be said after you’ve gone on another date. What about five dates? Would you know by then? The answer to that question is far more complicated than any number.
You see, the problem here is, how you define the quality of your dates. Going out for a bite to eat for a quick lunch is different than spending an entire evening with each other.
A trip to the coffeehouse is a great date, but it doesn’t give you much of a chance to gain insight.
Don’t focus on the number of dates, but the quality of the dates
It’s what you do on those dates that will let you know if things are ready to be exclusive or not. Also, it depends on how long you’ve been dating. Five dates over six months are different than five dates over three weeks.
The frequency of the dates added to the length of them makes a difference. You may know that it’s time to be exclusive after a handful of dates that happened spontaneously back to back.
Then again, it might take you several months to know that being exclusive is right. Don’t put yourself in a pickle by thinking that you’ve got to define your relationship too quickly.
How do you know you are ready to be exclusive?
There are many different feelings that you’ll have when it’s time to go exclusive. Don’t be surprised if the other person doesn’t immediately feel the same way as you do. It might take a little time for the two of you to come to the same conclusion.
If you try to force the situation, it’s possible they could be pushed away from going exclusive.
Allow things to mature at their own pace.
There is no good reason why you have to hurry this at all. If they are seeing other people and their pace of dating hasn’t slowed down, then they may have no desire to become exclusive. Every person who is dating runs the risk of stumbling upon someone who has a different intent than you do.
How can you tell if you are exclusive?
It’s entirely possible that you’re in an exclusive relationship and don’t even know it. Sometimes it happens out of the blue, and it takes both people by surprise.
Do you find yourself spending all of your free time together? If you’re spending your weekends with the other person, then you’re probably exclusive.
Do you know everyone in their family and speak to them often? If so, then you are without a doubt exclusive or on your way.
If you are planning a future together, then you guessed it, you’re exclusive.
A good relationship blossoms in a way without you ever having to say anything. The relationship works by itself without you ever having to do anything at all. The transition from dating to going exclusive is seamless, and it sometimes happens without either person thinking about it.
Don’t put pressure on the other person to go exclusive
Back in the day, they called dating exclusive going steady. Not much has changed since then other than the terminology used to talk about it. If you’ve fallen head over heels for someone, it’s easy to want to force them into an exclusive relationship. It’s a big mistake, and you’ll end up scaring them off.
Instead of going that route, be honest with them about your feelings. Let the other person know that you’re really into them. See how they respond and go from there. If you’ve only been on a few dates, it might be best to keep your feelings to yourself for a while.
Also, you don’t know the person all that well. It’s possible that soon you’ll see a side of them that pushes you away.
Singles sometimes make dating far more complicated than it needs to be.
Conclusion
Dating should be a fun and enjoyable experience. Go on as many dates as you possibly can. It doesn’t matter if nothing comes of them. The goal of dating is to get married eventually. A lot of dates will come and go without anything coming of it. You may also find some people who are interested in you, and you don’t feel the same way back. That’s how dating works, and it’s a process of trying to find the right person for you.
Enjoy the process, go to restaurants you’ve never been to, smile and laugh. Don’t worry if the person isn’t right for you. Who knows, they might end up being the right person for a friend or family member. If nothing else, you could end up with someone who is a friend for life, and that’s it.
Enjoy every step of falling in love. It’s one of the most satisfying feelings a human can experience. Love, romance, and togetherness are all beautiful things. Don’t force yourself or someone else to pretend they’re experiencing those same feelings if it’s not happening naturally.
It’s a mistake to go down the path of exclusiveness and possibly marriage if there aren’t enough sparks flying between the two of you to start a forest fire.