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I notice nowadays, people are skipping the most important part of the romance thing. No one dates anymore, and everyone still thinks it's a big deal. No one strives for a date every friday or just asks someone to head out with them, without everyone assuming that there must be a huge deep romantic connection between two people.
To me, having a girlfriend of boyfriend is completely different than dating a guy or girl. Sometimes people decide to date just for fun, or maybe for a while. Unfortuneately, this has led to many tragic endings, where I watch as people can't stand the outcome within a week of "going out".
My point, is that I think people rush into things without thinking, or end up overthinking everything.
What does everyone think about this in regards to the way society has developped a romance veil?

never really went out crying

But I have a problem with commited relations, they can be taken for granted, don't forget to go on dates with your loved ones... It can be so boring if you just forget that you still have to get out of the house. My ex hated to go out and wanted me to stay home with him (his place was a mess) so I was really unhappy. Dating for me can also be a part ofa real relationship,a stepping stone to one or just a fun night with someone I like but don't want to be with.

I'm sorry that's sad. sad

That's probably one reason, but people just want to be able to say they have a boyfriend/girlfriend. Others can never be single so they continuously date if there relationships don't work out.

I'm more happy whenever i'm not dating anyone, but i'm the happiest whenever I do date someone. Like i'm happy all the time when i'm single because I don't have to worry about someone else, but when I date I have someone special and I couldn't be happier but there are fights, etc.

If that made any sense.

I agree. Dating is important. It's that period of time where you get to know the person and decide if you want to commit and actually say, "Hey! I'm fairly attatched to this person!" (in that you're now in a relationship). Granted I myself also skipped that process and went straight to the relationship stage.

I think that a minor substitute for a dating phase would be flirting. People tend to flirt a lot before they claim someone as a significant other, although it isn't the same as actually dating. At least it's some form of getting to know the person.

It must be hard to try to date though because kids (I use the term loosly for people from middle school through college) all have it in their heads that after one trip to the movies or meeting for coffee you're officially dating that person. It'd be hard for someone to casually date if there are very few people who share that mindset.

There used to be a time when dating was normal, they used to say it was "shopping around". Unfortunately it seems that we are becoming more possessive of our relationships. I think this has more to do with the female side of the population (but I might be biased there). I know I would hav eliked to date multiple girls but it always seemed to be that when I dated one I was off limits to any other.

I think I'm almost the in the same way really. I have a bunch of friends who are guys, just most of them have different as many people they know that I know. I only have one guy as a friend in a group around me (and I hate the words group very much), but my primary friends are girls mostly. I know enough about girls to know what I like in them, but I don't believe that rushing into things because you see something you like immediately. I just believe more in the fact that no one puts across an effort to maintain anything anymore... if it's not perfect it's not right.

Our society as a romancer has become a one-night stand.