The last time I dated two people at a time, I ended up marrying the second guy.

I was dating Guy A. We were seeing each other exclusively. We were fairly involved. He got really distant. I knew he'd had a hard break up with a long term girlfriend, shortly before we met. We decided to not see each other exclusively any longer. I told him that if he was considering getting back with his ex, I well understood and that would be that. Oh no, he insisted.

I met dh at an office Christmas party. We worked for a huge place though, so he wasn't anyone I'd ever even seen at work, before. We went on a few dates and had a lot of fun. He asked me out for New Year's Eve.

My best friend was dating (and has long since married) first boy's friend. They were inviting me to a party that first boy was sure to be at. Best friend was really giving me a hard time about not going. She thought I should. Yada yada. My much older, male, Vulcan cousin came over during some of the angst (there may have been tears) and said, "Go out with the one who isn't making you cry." It was like someone turned on the lights.

It's considered extremely rude to not call and clear up "where we're standing", either way, after even the one (blind) date.

I feel that way too, for the most part (I think you can get away with not calling if you've only ever had one date). I don't know where I got my values, though, since the American Way seems to be to not call and slink away. If politely asked, then the American Way is to lie. I've had guys even volunteer (not in response to any pressure from me but to actually volunteer) "I'm busy til I get out of this conference but I want to do something with you after I return". But then they don't call and when you shoot thema note weeks later, they don't reply. Turns out they were too cowardly to just say "I'd rather not go on another date and I'm not interested in being friends either."

I've solved this whole dating problem by not dating. I imagine this doesn't work as well for people who are less misanthropic.

However, I think if you want to stop seeing this person in favor of the other person, it clearly isn't working.

I disagree, but it may just be semantics. I think "We have fun and I like you a lot but I've fallen in love with someone else" isn't "not working," just bad timing. Not every relationship has to be exclusive and long-term to "work."

Reject others before they reject you!!! is my motto.

OK, not really.

I'd like a guy to not tell me he's busy. I'd like him to tell me he has a girlfriend, or that he doesn't want to see me anymore anyway. I don't like being lied to.

Robin, I'm thinking of a scenario where you like two guys, and would definitely give guy B a shot relationship wise, but guy A has a certain elan that means you (regretfully, but also not) pick him to have a go with instead.

You and guy B might have had a long and rewarding relationship together, if A hadn't been around at this pre-commitment stage. That doesn't count as "not working" in my book. Not that that'd be any consolation to B.

I can't be bothered to care about meeting someone much less dating.

Less than I can be bothered to care? Seems statistically unlikely.

we can have a not care off. You think about this stuff, me, not so much anymore. You are interested in flirting, me, not so much.

You think about this stuff, me, not so much anymore.

Aha. You have an anymore. I've never thought about this stuff. I've never done this stuff, for the most part. I look around at other people who take the existence of love and relationships -- well, not for granted, but have a sense through experience of how they fit into people's lives.

I've never been in love. I've never dated anyone without knowing exactly when it's due to be over.

Flirting, I'll cop to. I've done a lot of that. Never with a relationship as an end goal, though. And in fact, since I've only ever had the one...it's not like it was a coincidental result.

I have flirted my way into bed (and left right after) or flirted my way into friendships. But I'm not asking questions about friendships or casual sex. I understand those.

Star Wars: Revenge of the Brick.

Go out with the one who isn't making you cry

That's a good advice. Not as trivial as it may seem (also, hi, Cindy!).

I think you can get away with not calling if you've only ever had one date

Spidra, I guess that's what I meant by "very framed". The way it's done here (and, obviously, it's influenced heavily by the fact that by "here" I mean mostly Orthodox Jewish people), you have to call after the first date in order to make matters clear. Well, unless - like the last blind date I had - the guy ends up the date by wishing you to find a good man soon. (also, hi! I can't remember when I last posted with you!)

I'd like a guy to not tell me he's busy. I'd like him to tell me he has a girlfriend, or that he doesn't want to see me anymore anyway. I don't like being lied to.

Considering how differently we live through (is that even English?) this whole subject, it's somewhat surprising how much I am ita in these matters. [Edit: even moreso after her last post. Um, minus the flirting. I have no idea how to do that.]

I've never dated anyone without knowing exactly when it's due to be over.

I want to make sure I am reading this correctly. You knew WHEN the relationship was gonna end while you were in it? Or you were clear when the relationship ended?

I've been clear when all my relationships ended too. It's only been with people I've goina on a few dates with that I have either being the recipient or giver of the passivity ending things thing.