Dating is such a dysfunctional and confusing word. In this generation the word "dating" has several different meanings such as:
1. We're together but were not…
Ex:
Hannah and I are dating, but she’s not my girlfriend
2. Ya, we're dating, but I’m single…
Ex:
Heather and I are dating, but I am also dating Bethany, Christina, Shelby, etc.
3. We’re dating and it’s exclusive, but we’re not official…
Ex:
Katie and I are dating and only seeing each other, but were not official.
And I just want to knowWHY IN THE HELL ARE THERE SO MANY DIFFERENT MEANINGS FOR THE WORD DATING?!
For the last year I have not been able to wrap my mind around this word and its multiple meanings. I am 22-years-old, and despite the past 8 years of "dating" it wasn’t until my junior year of college, my first year being single, I realized that my version of the word "dating" was unheard of. When I was in high school the word "dating" meant that you and that person were together. In a relationship. Taken. YOU WERE NOT SINGLE. If we were "dating," WE were together and WE were exclusive with a label. These ‘new’ forms of dating are truly so half-assed if you ask me. When I was introduced to these several other stupid meanings for the word "dating," I was mind blown.
I feel that the word dating has lost so much value and meaning. Now anyone can just throw the word dating around without actually pursuing anything with another person. It has also given people another reason to not fully commit to one person.
These versions of the word dating are like giving someone the option to date you but not be 100% committed to you. It's like ordering pizza but never being able to eat it. You’re excited. You got to pick your toppings and the guy taking your order over the phone said that it’ll be there in 20 minutes. Time goes by, everything seems to be going fine and you just can’t wait for your pizza, but then… it never gets delivered. You were so excited in the beginning for your pizza, but just like always the pizza place, you forgot your order. You call the pizza place and all they do is continue to come up with excuses to why your pizza was never delivered.
(I order pizza a lot and they forget my order... so annoying)
My pizza scenario is just like these new definitions for the word ‘dating.’ It is so much fun in the beginning and this person seems like a real keeper, but then you get hit with either the “we're not official” or “I’m dating other girls” pitch. It catches you off-guard and you feel confused. You also found out that he was talking to multiple other girls which make you feel even worse. You thought he was committed to you and you only. It is one of the worst feelings ever and you can’t believe that the word "dating" caused all this pain and confusion. The word is confusing and doesn’t mean what it use to mean, at least in my opinion. It is important to understand which definition of "dating" you might be in with someone so you aren’t waiting for a pizza that plans on never showing up.