Casual dating

Casual dating or casual relationship is a physical and emotional relationship between two people who may have casual sex or a near-sexual relationship without necessarily demanding or expecting the additional commitments of a more formal romantic relationship. Motives for casual relationships vary. There are significant gender and cultural differences in acceptance of and breadth of casual relationships, as well as in regrets about action/inaction in those relationships.

Definition

Casual dating is not synonymous with casual sex. There are two schools of thought when it comes to casual dating and sex. The first is, if you are the type of person who can enjoy sex without the emotional attachments that typically go with it (think Samantha Jones from Sex and the City), then a bedroom romp might be the natural end to a great night out. After all, casual dating is about finding the right guy for you, and physical chemistry is an important part of compatibility. As long as you use good judgment (no beer goggles, please) and proper protection, there is nothing wrong with having sex without having a relationship.

Types of Casual Dating

The main function of a casual dating relationship is to provide companionship during social interactions. This type of dating allows people to get to know each other and spend time together without having a monogamous relationship attached to a deeper level of commitment, like cohabitation or marriage. Casual dating allows two people to enjoy activities together without being concerned about further commitments or responsibilities.

Casual dating relationships can be intimate or non-intimate. With the delay of marriage until an older age, many people tend to date a variety of partners prior to finding a marriage partner. The main difference between these relationships is that a committed relationship is exclusive, and partners make a commitment to only date and be intimate with one partner.

Casual Dating vs. Traditional Dating

In the most basic sense, casual dating is when you enjoy spending time with someone and are looking to get to know him or her better, but you aren’t committed to this person in any way. Additionally, while you may have a strong physical and emotional connection with this person and engage in “date-like” activities together, you’re free to date other people and pursue other options simultaneously. In other words, casual dating implies that there’s no obligation or commitment between the two of you, and your relationship with one another is light and informal with no strings attached.

See Also

• Friends with benefits
• Hookup culture
• One-night stand
• Swinging (sexual practice)
• Polyamory
• Open relationship