What is dating today?

What is dating today?
In today’s society the dating game is just that, a game. Yet, how do you overcome the game and make it to the “next level?” Especially, when the rules are fuzzy and ever changing. I believe that singles find themselves frustrated and confused about the correct procedures to follow. Ross Gompertz is a young, single individual that just recently found himself back out into the hazy world of dating. Here are his feelings on the topic of the opposite sex.
1) The dictionary definition to date is informally going out (with someone in whom one is romantically or sexually interested in). What is your definition of dating?
R: “Let me think about it… Finding someone that you want to spend time with, that doesn’t really answer your question though. You have to be pretty romantically involved with them, because you can hang out with female friends one on one, but that’s not really dating.”
2) People use many terms when associating their more intimate relationships. For example, “seeing someone” and “dating someone” have two entirely different connotations in our society. What do they mean to you and do you feel that the varying definitions for dating make reading someone’s feelings for you difficult?
R: “I’d say if you’re ‘dating’ somebody, you don’t know them very well yet, your just kind of, you’re still able to hang out and date other people. But if your ‘seeing’ somebody, it’s more exclusive and… ugh… I think it does make it difficult to judge because they may think that being alone with them means that you are dating. Where somebody else you would think that you have to get intimate with them to feel the same way.”
3) What do you look for in someone that you are romantically interested in?
R: “Someone who participates in an active hobby, something that they enjoy doing outside of whatever they do; school, work etc. They have to be pretty laidback, pretty adventurous, keep up with me not just physically, but in general. They have to be an equal. Just being an equal is important, a sense of humor and being smart helps. Oh! And they have to like animals, no question about it.”
4) Do you believe men and women can be friends without any underlying sexual tension?
R: “Yes, although it’s rare. I’ve had some friends that I thought were my friends and eventually they asked me out so… I guess not ha ha ha.”
5) What seems to be the appropriate dating “timeline” for a couple?
R: I think it depends on the people involved and their beliefs on that. I’m not really very concerned with a “timeline.”
6) What are some things that are big red flags that turn you off immediately to a person that you’re attracted to?
R: “I would go with, if they’re inconsiderate or mean to the people around them… that’s not cool. There have been times where I have immediately stopped and not liked someone for something they did, but I can’t remember what it was or if they were mean to animals.”
7) What are the big faux pas that many singles make in the search for another?
R: “I would say feeling that no one likes them, so they don’t interact with other single people, not having the confidence to try. That’s my biggest problem, because if I try I might actually succeed, at some point. They give up before they start.”
8) What is the best thing, action, initiative etc that would mean the most to you coming from another person?
R: “That’s tough, I don’t know. Probably, if I was having a hard time just offering to talk about things and hang out with me. Having someone to talk to when your all stressed out is pretty awesome.”
9) Is the dating scene worth it?
R: “It’s pretty worth it. It depends on how bored you are.”
10) And of course, the best pick up line…
R: “Hi my name is Ross Gompertz. What?”