[fintstone]

As noted, I see dating per the traditional definition: ""Dating" is a stage of romantic relationships in which two individuals engage in an activity together, most often with the intention of evaluating each other's suitability as a partner in a future intimate relationship. It falls into the category of courtship, consisting of social events carried out by the couple either alone or with others."

If one is going on dates just for sex or has "friends with benefits"...then that changes the dynamic and is something else entirely. If one is simply doing activities with male and/or female friends, that is not really a date. Even if there may be some attraction.

I personally don't date anyone (not that many opportunities have not been presented). No, I don't "date" my wife. That is absurd. We live together and spend most of the day/night together. Going to dinner, travel/vacations, sleeping together (anything one might do on a date) ...are normal daily activities.

You see, I am pretty sure that I can claim to have won the dating game. I see it largely as I stated...a means to find a long term, compatible partner. I will have been happily married 48 years next month. So, I claim victory there...and am pretty confident any claims that I do not know how to treat women in general also fails based on that. I picked the girl I wanted, wooed her, and married her...then managed to hang on to her for life.

If my life changed in such a way that I was alone...and I chose to date again, I am pretty sure that the same techniques would work with some refinement. I would choose someone I know (from work, school, or similar) that I find attractive and am already familiar enough with to believe we are compatible. If there was someone that I had randomly met and thought they met my criteria, I would find a way to get to know them through other activities. If we shared no interests enough for that...then we are likely not compatible. After we were both comfortable enough with each other to make the next move, then I would ask her out. Obviously, we all get turned down...but women largely do a good job letting you know if they are interested (or not).