Whether you’re coming out of a long-term relationship or you’ve never been in one, casual dating can be a great way to bridge the gap.
However, it’s important to know how to properly navigate this type of relationship before diving in. Elite Daily tapped relationship experts to get the lowdown on what men should and shouldn’t do.
Be Honest
Honesty is one of the most important aspects of casual dating etiquette. It can be difficult to be completely open and honest about your life, but it is essential for a successful relationship.
Badoo analyzed 5000 profiles and found that those who are the most honest are the most successful on dating apps. They are also more likely to be accepted into relationships.
If you are serious about casual dating, you need to be honest about what you want and what you can provide for the other person. Being honest about what you can offer will help make the process much more enjoyable for both of you.
Moreover, it can give you insight into whether you can handle a relationship long-term. Being honest will allow you to avoid wasting your time with someone who is not right for you.
You should also be honest about your own flaws and shortcomings. This will encourage your partner to be honest with you as well, and will allow you to build a healthier relationship together.
Being honest about your own personal interests can also be a great way to attract the right type of casual date. People who are honest about their own preferences and hobbies tend to be more attractive to other people on dating apps than those who don’t reveal their true selves.
Another thing that can hurt casual dating is being jealous of your partner’s other relationships. This can be a hard situation to navigate, especially when it’s your first time dating casually. But it is important to remember that being jealous only causes more trouble.
Be Respectful
The most important thing in casual dating is to be respectful of each other. That means being open and honest about what you want from the relationship. It also means not letting your feelings get the best of you.
It can be difficult to separate your emotions from your actions when you’re in a casual relationship. It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of getting to know someone new and spending time with them.
But if you feel like you’re drifting away from your casual partner or feeling trapped by them, it may be a sign that something is wrong. That’s when you should discuss the issue with your partner to see if it’s just a phase or if they are really serious about you.
You can also ask your casual partner if they want to date others or have sexual relationships outside of the relationship. This is an important conversation because it can help protect both of you from STIs and pregnancy.
Lastly, it’s okay to end the relationship when things don’t work out. But don’t do it lightly or without a clear plan. “It’s not OK to ghost someone because you don’t like them, but if you’re going to end it you should be as direct as possible and be as honest as possible about why you want to end it,” says Tallon-Hicks.
A casual relationship isn’t for everyone, but it can be a good way to get to know someone before taking it further into a committed relationship. As long as you are respectful of each other and don’t let your emotions get the best of you, it can be a great way to see if you’re compatible with someone and if a relationship is right for you.
Don’t Think About the Future
The most successful casual dating relationships are built on trust and good old fashioned communication. A casual relationship isn’t just about two people being together, it’s also about ensuring that your partner’s best interests are met, and that you’re on the same page. This is especially important if you’re planning on spending some time together away from the bedroom.
Whether it’s a formal dinner or a simple drinks and conversation, the most important thing is to make sure that you’re both on the same page and that your expectations are clear and concise. Otherwise, you’ll be setting yourself up for failure if things don’t go to plan.
It’s not uncommon for people to become overly enamored of each other in the early stages of casual dating, and this can lead to problems down the road. The key is to keep your cool and avoid letting the stress get to you. It’s always worth a try to find out if you and your partner are truly compatible before making any commitments, but in the event that it turns out you just don’t mesh, you can be honest with each other about it and move on with your lives.
Don’t Ask Questions
If you’re looking for a casual relationship, don’t ask too many questions. This can cause you to get emotionally attached too quickly and can lead to heartbreak.
Whether you’re looking for someone to have fun with, or want to explore sexual intimacy without commitment, casual dating can be a great option for those who are ready for a little excitement. It’s also a great way to find out what you’re really looking for in a partner and learn more about yourself.
However, if you’re unsure about how to approach casual dating and don’t know what to ask, it’s a good idea to talk to a therapist or qualified mental health professional before getting started. They can help you to understand your dating expectations and give you the tools necessary to change those expectations.
Another important part of casual dating etiquette is to be honest with your partner about your feelings. This may be difficult at first, but it’s essential for a healthy relationship. If you don’t tell your casual date how you feel, they may interpret your words as being unreliable or sexy, which can make things more uncomfortable for both of you.
A casual relationship can end suddenly if you’re no longer on the same page, or if you both start to fall for each other. This is a risk you’ll need to take, but it’s one that’s worth taking in order to have a happy, long-term relationship with someone who you truly love.
It’s hard to tell when a casual relationship is over, so it’s best to check in regularly with your partner to see how things are going. This will ensure that you’re on the same page, so that you can enjoy your time together as much as possible and keep it going as long as you both want to.
Don’t Give Yourself a Label
When you start dating casually, it can be easy to give yourself a label. You might feel that you have to be a certain way to qualify as a casual partner, or you may think that you’re too different from the person you’re seeing. Those labels can lead to unnecessary stress and hurt.
Instead of letting those labels dictate your behavior, it’s better to be honest with yourself. You should ask yourself whether you really enjoy the casual relationship and if it meets your needs.
If you’re feeling that the casual relationship isn’t meeting your expectations, it’s important to talk to your date about it. This can be a hard conversation, but it will help ensure that the relationship is working for both of you and that you’re happy with the outcome.
Another thing to keep in mind is that casual dating can be a great opportunity to meet new people and experience life. It’s common for casual relationships to be a way for people to test the waters and see if they want to pursue something more serious down the line, says Tallon-Hicks.
This can be a good thing, especially for those who are in their 20s and want to make sure that their career is stable before taking on a long-term commitment. The lack of responsibilities and pressures from a formal commitment can help them feel more relaxed and focused, which is helpful to their mental health.
While it’s not a bad idea to try out new things and activities, it’s important to avoid overdoing it. This can be difficult to do when you’re first starting out, but it will become easier as you get more comfortable with the casual dating scene.
