Is there a difference between the two? And if there is, at what point does a relationship move from dating to being in a long term relationship? Are there tangible signs that one needs to see to determine that we're no longer dating but we're in a LTR now? Do you let time decide, in terms of how long you've been dating? Or do you let other factors decide? Share your thoughts.

To me, dating is when you both are still sizing one another up to see if you can actually manage the other person's faults and you are sorting out how you feel about him/her.

A LTR however is when you are both sure you want something out of the relationship (by something, I mean a future or atleast a high commitment). In an LTR, you are sure that you are in love with your partner and the partner reciprocates.

I will take long term relationship to mean courtship, what that means is that you and your partner have analysed your time together during dating and you think as a result of the outcomes and evidences during dating their may likely be a future between both of you.

So commitment will be more and you tend to discuss more about a possible future and plan towards the attainment of the future as it relates to both of you.

Mynd_44: To me, dating is when you both are still sizing one another up to see if you can actually manage the other person's faults and you are sorting out how you feel about him/her.

A LTR however is when you are both sure you want something out of the relationship (by something, I mean a future or atleast a high commitment). In an LTR, you are sure that you are in love with your partner and the partner reciprocates.

Well since you're a guy what tangible proof would you give to show your partner that there's now a difference between one form of the relationship and the other? Is it just a matter of feeling it in your heart or taking an extra step to show a commitment that's on a higher level than what was before?

True2myself24:

Well since you're a guy what tangible proof would you give to show your partner that there's now a difference between one form of the relationship and the other? Is it just a matter of feeling it in your heart or taking an extra step to show a commitment that's on a higher level than what was before?

personally, I don't really think there is such change. You will feel it in you cos both of you will be closer to one another and you will tend to be a lot more opened on feelings. Sometimes, a conversation tells better like when you both find yourself planning for an event about to happen in 3 months, talking about meeting old friends or moving in with one another.

There are a lot of ways to know that there is a change but also know that sometimes those changes don't mean crap as your partner might be faking

In the real sense of dating, dating is more or less a trial period 2 see if two people are the compatible, u are both seen 2geda in public n u could even date oda Ppl at dis stage. On the other hand, LTR is a step in2 marriage, it's d same as courtship, at dis stage its a monogamous relationship where d two people are exclusive

Rejoyla: ~

I like your smile!

Op, relationship, either long or short, it is simply wat u make it to be. The end only justifies d means. Some ve only dated 4 two month n successfully got married at d end while others dated 4 9 years, yet couldnt make marriage.