12 Signs To Clue Are We Dating Or Hooking Up

Going out and dating may just as well be one of the best things about being single. However, this comes with its share of guesswork and complications. This is especially true when a guy you’re seeing is being weird and giving you all these funny ideas that leave you asking yourself, “Are we dating or just hooking up?” Does he just want to be your booty call or does he want something more?

While these questions swirl around in your head, it’s totally uncool to ask *and we know most will never dare*. So instead of wracking your brains about where this “thing” is going while he’s banging your brains out, why not take the mind games out of the equation?

# Planning on a Tuesday

You know you can stop asking “are we dating?” when he starts to make plans to go out with you early in the week. Setting a date with you a few days beforehand also shows that he’s considerate about your schedule. While casual dating or hooking up is more of a last-minute if not spontaneous affair, him making plans means you’re worth putting on his calendar.

# He shaves

There’s a certain level of effort that shows when you’re dating. He actually shaves and dresses nicely when you’re together. Of, if he’s invited you into his home if he’s not cooking something amazing for you, he at least kept his place clean for you.

# It’s weird when the check comes

When you’re just hooking up, it’s natural to go Dutch and split the bill like it’s as natural as breathing. However, you’ll know that your relationship has taken a progressive turn when either you or he picks up the bill and you’re both silently left wondering about how awkward it is.


# Awkward introductions

So you’re out doing things together and lo-and-behold, your friend suddenly appears around the curb. You both stop and say “Hi!” and there’s this unsettling feeling when your friends start to look at who you’re with.

Your date waits with bated breath as you introduce him as your friend, or you might even surprise yourself to admit that he’s your date, in which case he widely smiles in approval. Then you can definitely stop asking “are we dating?”

# Two straws, one drink

You’re both so comfortable with each other that you don’t hesitate to take a sip off his drink when he says you should try this new craft beer. With FWBs or casual hookups, you have huge suspicions as to where their mouths *and other parts of their anatomy* have been, so you would rather not exchange even a little trace of bodily liquids for now.

# Phones are out of sight

You’re definitely dating when he’s giving you 100% of his attention. You won’t hear his phone ring *he’s put it on silent* and he’s not glancing at his phone for FB notifications, Snapchats, or tweets. You actually talk and have engaging conversations going. In fact, talking to other people is far from your mind when you’re together.

# “Good morning” texts

While easy hookups are all about superficial sexts and “What you up to?” texts, dating means consistent “Good morning.” This means you’re the first thing he thought about when he woke up, and you actually welcome a worthwhile texting conversation with him throughout the day. He might even be doing this because he’s wondering about the exact same thing – “Are we dating?”

# You’re really friends

You actually talk about how your day or your week was. If you’re just in it for the sex, you’ll go straight at it the moment you see each other. You’re lucky if he even takes time to ask about how you were after you had sex.

However, since he wants more from you than just your booty, he is genuinely curious about how you are and what you’re feeling. In return, you don’t hesitate to tell him about your day, and you’re equally concerned about how he’s doing too.

# PDA pal

You also know you’re dating when he’s not afraid to show his affection in public. You go out and he goes all out as well. He holds your hands, hugs you, and whether he’s unaware of it, he just can’t get his hands off you – and doesn’t mind the whole world knowing it.

# Ummm… technically exclusive?

Heaven forbid you have *that talk* because you’re not sure just what to say, but then he has at least shown you that you’re the only one he’s seeing. Or maybe you’re the one giving him hints that you’re exclusively seeing him. Either way, it’s like this dynamic that you’re yet to define—but it’s there. You’re both trying to answer the question *are we dating*?

# It’s only you

Some guys may be telling you they’re dating you, but are really having one-night-stands left and right. You know that you’re more than just hooking up when your guy is seeing and doing no one else but you—and he doesn’t want to have it any other way.