The Difference Between A 'Date', 'Dating' And 'Relationship'.
(Brought to you by Grac's compulsive need to label and simplify everything. Also co-sponsored by Grac's need to assuage her guilt for being blur and obtuse)

I'm seriously reconsidering celibacy for life. Who needs a mate? Society's need to see every aging woman to a man is too conformist for me. Plus, hypothetically, I'd get scared silly everytime someone asks me to be their girlfriend after one date (I totally hypothetically did not know it was a date until I was hypothetically told). Okay, so this happened hypothetically to me only once, but seriously guys- get the handbook. Well, if there isn't a handbook there really should be one.

Its simple really (simplify!). Pay attention.

A date is a singular event when two people go out. They are not obligated to 'date' again. They can, however, go on 'dates' with other people in the meantime.

Dating is, a series of dates. i.e.- two or more dates in a row within a reasonable period of time (five dates in a week is practically matrimony). Depending on the parties involved, you may or may not be allowed to date other people during this period.

And a relationship happens when both parties agree mutually (don't mind my redundancy) that they are launching off into the deep end of exclusivity and will monogamously date each other till something unforseen happens- like amnesia, or a kidnapping... or migration without leaving a forwarding address.

You just don't send someone an SMS in the middle of an exam season and say "Are you technically my girlfriend now?" It wreaks havoc and causes amnesia or a sudden need to migrate without leaving a forwarding address.

Hypothetically, of course.