You don’t really know someone until you know them for a long time. So, at first, you have no idea if the person you’re talking to is a player.
The good news is, you can turn a situationship into a real relationship. “The talking stage” is a label apparently coined by Gen-Z-ers to describe a maddening, un-defined early stage of many relationships. “The talking stage is kind of like the test run of a situationship,” says Nandini, a 20-year-old college student in Austin, Texas.
After 2 weeks, you might know that you want to make it official with them. Or, you might need more time to get comfortable with your crush–or simply enjoy the low commitment of just talking–and stay in this stage for several months. You’re trying to see if there is something there or not. You probably find the person you’re talking to at least mildly attractive, but you aren’t sure if you want to move forward. Generally, the talking stage is what happens before feelings get involved. At this point, there shouldn’t be expectations or pressure. The talking stage is a grey area for a lot of people.
While many of us need just a few days to understand that we have found the right meet chinese women person, others need more than three months to draw such a conclusion. When you are just talking to someone, you can only guess whether they like you or not. The only thing you can do is wait until your lovely conversations turn into something bigger. Although it feels like love in some sense, do not confuse any of this with commitment, because the talking stage exists to help people avoid the dreaded question of ‘what are we? ’ It’s a blocker, an enabler and a way for us to hide from our emotions. Flirt with your crush to show them that you’re interested. Compliment your crush and tell them how easy it is for you to talk to them.
Maybe you want to date and be exclusive, or you’re ready to make the relationship official. In the talking stage, you get to know someone without an official label. You and your crush are texting and talking on the phone every day, but steering clear of defining the relationship. It can sound a lot like dating, but you and your crush are simply testing the relationship waters and learning about each other. Essentially, the talking stage should start after first being introduced or meeting. On a dating app, it’s when you’ve gone from the app to texting. The talking stage, to many, is also fair game for ghosting.
“Anything you know that’s a nonstarter for you should be brought up early,” he adds. Of course, you can ease into it throughout the conversation so you’re not hitting them with these big life questions right away, but better to know sooner rather than later. Although there isn’t one “right” way to execute the talking stage, the success of any relationship will always come down to communication. At the end of the day, your desires and expectations are just as important as the person you’re talking with. So, take the pressure off yourself to get the talking stage right and just enjoy the ride. Navigating dating in the current climate isn’t easy.
The best part of the talking stage is that you get to build a solid connection that helps you figure out if you want to date. Start by asking your crush about their job, hobbies, and interests. As you grow more comfortable with each other, you can open up about your values, goals, family background, and past relationships. It’s completely normal for the talking stage to last at least 2 months. This is when relationship experts say it’s okay to talk to your crush about being exclusive. “Dating and getting to know someone should feel like an adventure,” Marlena Cole, professional relationship expert, strategist, and life coach, tells Bustle. “However, for most people dating is a scary and overwhelming experience.”
A more fluid approach to relationships and relationship-building gives people more space to date with intention, to think about what they really want out of their love lives and pursue it on their own terms. If the person you are talking to has already expressed an intention to move further, don’t miss your chance. Accept the rules of an exclusive relationship, and don’t be afraid to experience some extra pressure. If two people are meant to be together, the transition from the talking stage to dating will go smoothly. While many people find talking stages daunting, others see it as a “comfort zone” because they experience no pressure while spending time with a few potential dates simultaneously. The talking stage is a relatively new concept coined by all-time innovative Generation Z. We can describe it as the earliest stage of a romantic relationship.
Furthermore, take note of how much they tend to blame everyone or everything else (exes, former employers, family members, etc.) for personal setbacks. Cloud suggests doing so too much is a warning sign that they’ll ultimately start to blame you for their issues. This will say a lot about how your crush will interact with your family. When it comes to love, you’ve got to trust your gut over your head. Someone may sound great on paper, but if there isn’t a spark , it won’t work out. If this person has done anything to make you question their honesty or integrity, this probs isn’t the relationship for you. The talking stage is like dating — but without all the societal pressures and expectations.
Use this time to talk about anything and everything, like TV shows, sports, or your job. The talking stage is the time where you get to know someone but aren’t sure how interested you are.
This can get into sexting territory quickly, so try to keep things on topic. Ask what they think in terms of frequency, positions, and any of their other sexy-time preferences.