Are You Just Hanging Out Or Dating? 10 Things To Guide You!

By- Shreya Sharma

There is a big difference between seeing someone and hanging out. There is a myth that if you are not on a date, then there is no chemistry. Whereas hanging out can mean that there is some connection, but there is some kind of obstacle in the way which could be anything, busy schedule, financial issue, shyness or you both just want to take things slow. You are confused if you are in dating or hanging out stage. Here are 10 to guide you if you are just hanging out or dating.

1. If you have others present when you spend time, you are hanging out

If whenever you guys met, there are others around be it his friends or yours. This means you are not special enough to go out alone with him. If you like him, this is not the end of the world. It could mean, that are shy or afraid of moving things fast and that is why he does not prefer being alone with you. You are just a new friend with some possible potential.

2. You are hanging out if one of you gets uncomfortable when one makes a move

If someone’s physical advancements make you feel uncomfortable, then it is not dating. One of you is more interested than the other one and thought to move things forward.

3. You are dating if you have “getting to know” conversations

While hanging out, your conversations may be deep, philosophical or personal but it is usually light and playful. While you are dating, you get to know about each other’s personal lives, beliefs, morals, family stories etc. These conversations help you know if you are compatible enough to date.

4. You are dating if you are going to fancy or fun places rather than doing boring things

Going to a fancy restaurant, movie or creative outing is a clear sign of dating. If you are doing a mundane thing like going for coffee or watching TV then you are somewhere between hanging out and dating. If you are both flipping channels, then you are hanging out. But if you have decided to watch a show that you both love, are dressed and one of you cooked or you ordered food, then it is a date.

5. You are hanging out, you do not feel rushed and things seem a bit slow

When people are dating, they take things on a steady pace, neither too slow nor too fast. If you have been talking with someone for a few months, and the things are being slow and there is no feeling to rush things, it could be because the other person has no interest and you are just hanging out.

6. When you are dating, people begin to treat you both differently when you are together in a group

When you are dating, you will notice people treating you differently because they know you are together. They will get you both alone time during parties or will tell one of you asking to invite the other one as well. Or they may even ask you about the other person.

7. If you are hanging out, things get awkward if one of you initiates sex

When you are hanging out, does not mean there is no chemistry. Things may turn different if one of you initiates something even when you are not dating. If things get awkward or the other person feels offended when one of you initiates, then you just misread the signals. This can end your hanging out sessions or may call for a serious conversation about each other’s intentions.

8. You are dating, it the other person is trying to win you over

If someone buys you things, picks you up and drops you, surprises you with little things, then you know they are trying to impress you for a reason. They listen to your favorite things and use them to surprise you, it means you are dating.

9. If you are hanging out, neither of you will bring up family

If someone is not interested, they do not bring up family. When you are dating you are going to talk about families at some point. If you are not having any conversation about your family and siblings, then you are just hanging out.

10. You are dating if you talk about exes

No one starts seeing someone without knowing their past relationships. When you are dating, this conversation is bound to come up sometime in the first two months, before things get very serious, but after the initial jitters go away.