How Many Dates It Takes For A Guy To Get Serious About A Relationship (2023)

FAQs

How long should you date a guy before getting serious? ›

“The best way to truly learn about another person is to take the time needed to truly get to know them before making a commitment to them.” While there's no exact right amount of time, she says you should wait anywhere from one to three months before making the relationship exclusive.

The bottom line: The third date isn't some monumental milestone that should be a make-it-or-break-it, event for a potential relationship. If you have a gut feeling one way or another about a person, listen to it. Otherwise, let yourself enjoy the ride...and a fourth yummy dinner with, at the very least, good company.

Three dates is a good rule of thumb.

This isn't a hard and fast rule, but let's say you spend two to three hours together on each date, with some emailing, texting, or phone time in between. That's a pretty fair amount of time together. If you're not feeling any sense of chemistry or attachment, it's OK to give up.

In the most basic sense, a serious relationship is one in which you're completely committed to your partner; you're totally open and honest with one another; you trust each other deeply; and you're on the same page, not only in terms of your values and ethics but about your future together as well.

There is no perfect time for a man to commit. That's because timing varies depending on the situation, time period in life, and person. You can assess it yourself if the timing is right for you. Therefore, how long you will wait depends on your goal.

As a rough rule, two months in should be a safe amount of time to broach the subject, Stott said. But every relationship is different, so if it feels right earlier, go for it. If it doesn't feel right at that stage, there are a few steps you can take to build yourself up for the conversation.

According to a 2015 dating survey conducted by Time out of 11,000 people worldwide, most couples go on 5 to 6 dates before discussing a relationship, and some take even longer. On average, people need 5-6 dates to make it official.

The first several dates should be spaced close together in an effort to keep the momentum going. The second date should not take place more than two weeks after the first date. If the first date went exceptionally well, the best thing you can do is lock in a second date soon after.

According to a 2015 dating survey conducted by Time Out of 11,000 people worldwide, people decide to go exclusive and stop seeing other people after six dates — which, for many, falls in line with the one- to two-month mark. They officially declare themselves a couple after nine dates, on average.

If a couple goes on one date a week, that's anywhere from 10 to 12 dates before they establish exclusivity, according to the survey. Say, schedules allow a couple to see each other more than once a week, that means it could even take 24 dates before exclusivity.

What does a guy think after 3 dates? ›

If you've made a third date together, he probably likes you to some extent. Most men won't keep dating you if they aren't the least bit interested or if they think you're boring, rude, or just incompatible.

If you feel confident at this point that you want things to be serious, go ahead and tell them that you're ready to move from a casual to a committed relationship, says Trespicio. "Explain what kind of relationship you want and why, defining what commitment means for you without giving an ultimatum," she suggests.

Whether you're at the start of a blossoming relationship or been with your significant other for years, every relationship goes through the same five stages of dating. These five stages are attraction, reality, commitment, intimacy and finally, engagement.

“A man will commit when he feels a deep connection with a woman that he doesn't feel with anyone else; when he finds a lover who is also his best friend that makes him feel special and unique,” Tripp says.

Waiting Lets Your Partner See How Much You Care

Maybe they've just come out of a long-term relationship, or they simply don't move as quickly as you do. By giving your partner time to make their decision, you're not only respecting their wishes, but you're also showing them they're worth waiting for.

Relationships are all about timing. It's not uncommon to find yourself in a position where you want to take it to the next level, but your partner isn't ready. They may have strong feelings for you, care about you deeply, and potentially see a future with you, but they're just not ready for a serious commitment.

Most couples go on 5-6 dates before they start discussing a relationship, and some take even longer. Don't sweat it if you're a few dates in. This lines up with the 1- to 3-month timeline for most folks. That's 1 date every weekend on the fast side, and 1 date every 2-3 weeks or so on the longer side.

What are red flags in dating? ›

Red flags in a relationship include excessive jealousy and frequent lying. You should also be wary of a partner who frequently criticizes you or puts you down. Another major red flag is an unwillingness to compromise — relationships shouldn't be one-sided.

The bottom line? Falling in love can happen relatively quickly — some say they feel it on a first date, while most agree it takes at least eight weeks.

Probably the biggest difference between casual dating and serious dating is the level of commitment and exclusivity. In casual dating, there is little to no commitment. No expectation of consistent texting, no expectation of anything at all. Especially monogamy.

While waiting three dates or more to become intimate has been a popular guideline in the past, the best way to decide when you're ready to take this step is by doing what you feel is right. You may feel comfortable having sex after the first or second date, or you might want to wait ten or more dates before having sex.

Text each other a few times a day until the next date. It's not necessary nor a rule to text every day. It's always a good idea to keep a little mystery in between dates as opposed to pouring everything out on text from what you had for breakfast, lunch and dinner to when you walked your dog.

Two or three times a week if you're keeping it casual.

If you've only gone on a couple of dates so far, it might seem like you're coming on too strong if you text every day. Try to check in when your partner isn't busy, like in the evenings or on the weekends since they'll probably reply sooner.

It varies, but 1 to 3 texts per day is common.

The important part of a new relationship is getting to know each other in person. Texting is fine, but you'll probably make a deeper, more lasting connection if you save the deep talks for your face to face meetups.

Men, on the other hand, average about 10 sexual partners, eight dates, six one-night stands, eight kisses, and six long-term relationships. So, more all around generally, but perhaps that has to do with 88 percent of men surveyed subscribing to the notion of "true love," compared to 94 percent of women.

Healthy relationships involve honesty, trust, respect and open communication between partners and they take effort and compromise from both people. There is no imbalance of power. Partners respect each other's independence, can make their own decisions without fear of retribution or retaliation, and share decisions.

A sure sign that a relationship is moving too quickly is if you have trouble making decisions without your partner early on. It's not uncommon for people to lose themselves in their relationship, and over time couples find themselves dressing, speaking and even acting in a similar manner.

What are the 3 date rules? ›

When you start dating someone new, there is always the looming question of when you'll sleep together for the first time. In popular theory, that moment is the third date. The three-date rule, as firmly practiced by Charlotte York, stated that the third date was the appropriate time to have sex with a guy.

Say, for example, the three-day rule. Popularized by the romcom, the three-day dating rule insists that a person wait three full days before contacting a potential suitor. A first-day text or call is too eager, a second-day contact seems planned, but three days is, somehow, the perfect amount of time.

If you know they're seeing other people and you'd like them to stop, knowing when to ask to be exclusive can be more complicated. While there are no firm rules, experts suggest waiting at least three months after you start dating someone.