How many dates before a relationship?
The answer to that question is always going to be different for every person. This is because the number of dates you need to go on before making a relationship official is highly dependent on your unique romantic connection.
But, there are some things you can look for that will indicate if you’re ready to make your relationship more serious.
1. Communication is Key
There’s no such thing as a hard-and-fast rule when it comes to dating. Some people date for a long time before getting serious while others may only go on a few dates before realizing they’re ready for a relationship. However, a good indicator of whether or not your relationship is going to be successful is how much communication you have with each other.
A good way to check whether your relationship is progressing is by examining the amount of time you spend together and the gestures you make when you’re with each other. Taking the time to analyze these factors can help you gauge whether your partner is ready for commitment or not.
But even if you and your partner are on the fence about getting serious, it’s still a good idea to talk it out before rushing into something you might regret. That’s because no two people move at the same pace, and communication is key when it comes to navigating the dating scene.
That said, there are some signs that indicate you’re ready to take your relationship to the next level. If you and your partner have already been together for three months or more, it’s a good sign they’re ready to move forward with the relationship.

2. Don’t Bring Up Past Relationships
When you’re first dating, bringing up the past can be very uncomfortable. You may feel tempted to talk about your ex, or compare them to your current partner.
However, bringing up a past relationship too much can damage your relationship. It can cause retroactive jealousy, and it’s often a sign that your partner is feeling unsatisfied in the relationship.
You should also be careful about bringing up a past relationship when you’re already in the middle of a fight, says psychologist Jennifer Kederian. This is because you’re likely to relive the issues again and make them worse.
The best thing you can do is to keep the conversation light and positive, and avoid talking about your past relationships. This will help you avoid causing further pain and make your partner feel like they’re being attacked.
3. Don’t Criticize Your Partner
When a partner criticizes you, it can erode your self-esteem. It also eats away at your trust and intimacy with them.
According to John Gottman, a relationship expert and the founder of the Gottman Institute, criticism is one of the “Four Horsemen of Divorce.” It can be the first sign that your relationship is on the rocks.
The next time you feel tempted to lash out at your partner, take a breath. Breathe again and think about how they made you feel in that moment.
If they didn’t mean to hurt you, they probably meant to say what was in their heart. They were simply trying to help you solve a problem.
When you criticize your partner, you are saying that they are wrong. It is a very bad way to communicate. It will only erode your relationship.
4. Be Open
Getting into open relationships means being willing to let other people in. This can mean sharing vulnerable information with someone you don’t really know that well, or being more honest about how you feel.
This is not something everyone wants to do, but it can be helpful for some people. Especially when it comes to dating.
For example, if you don’t like horse-riding but your partner loves it and wants to take you on a ride, it might be time to break open that box.
It’s important to be open when you’re dating because it can help you find the right person for you. It can also teach you about how to have a healthy relationship and give you a chance to see what you’re missing in your life.