Dave: Guys tend to take things literally. Therefore, “going out” is defined as being recognized by others as a couple that, uh, goes out. Instant messaging and chatting on the phone are important elements of going out but, until you step out together, they don’t have much significance. The process goes something like this: Find someone you like. Go out and do lots of fun stuff. See how things go when you’re together around other people and in different situations. After that, if you still like each other, you’ve found someone to “go out” with. Then comes the best part of going out—staying in. 

Bill: Dave is (gulp!) right. After all, most guys prefer to stay in. That way, they don’t have their social skills tested (and it’s cheaper). But you deserve to be shown a good time. And if it turns out you’re not that wild about the guy, you can use “going out” as a way to scope Mr. Next.

by Bill and Dave | 2/1/2016