The word 'dating' is associated with a process through which one person gets together with another person to discover the possibilities of romantic relationship. The various surveys around the world shows that people generally start dating during their teenage. Predominantly dating is a process of attraction towards the opposite sex called infatuation. And the infatuations inevitably lead to either a temporary form or long-term relationship with another person.

This process of teenage infatuation dating tends to take direction as people enter into adulthood and take their relationship serious leading to marriage and children. How many of those married remain faithful is a question worth pondering. Various researches indicate that married adults continue to date and indulge in extra marital affairs.

These are perhaps the various patterns that drive people to date each other for variety of reasons. Being a social being, the scare of being lonely drives people desire for companionships. And the biological necessity further makes them crave for physical relationship and the physical warmth of another body. These factors coupled with drama, intensity, and excitement that accompanies new relationship induces people to crave for more love.

In the new millennium dating has found many forms - online dating, adult dating, single parent dating, mature dating, single dating etc. The feeling of incompleteness and being lonely without a person to love or being loved, to justify their existence as a human being and be a part of the social milieu could be attributed as some of the other factors that make people date.

People generally have psychological, social and physically desires and expectations and expect to fulfill them when dating. These desires in people come strong into play as dating relationship begins. They also determine to whom people are attracted to and have an overpowering influence on the potential partners.

When two people start dating together the characteristics and beliefs makes them like and dislike each other. Factors like accommodating and adapting to each other's habits and bond that forms between them makes dating that much more intense and exciting.

As time goes by the characteristics, behavior and tendencies of the people involved come into fore. This is the more crucial period of dating simply because at this stage the direction of the relationship takes a decisive turn. The hurt, anger and frustration and a feeling of let down creeps in when the charming prince or princes turns out to be just another person with whom life could be that much more dull and drab if not hell. There are also people who give ample time to their dating partners to try and find ways to make the relationship enduring.

On the other hand life could become happier and passionate, if the both partner are compatible, match wavelength, vibe & jell well with each other. It is indeed a myth that most dating relationship fizzle out into nothing and that only a relative minority will endure and long last. However people by and large expect their relationship to continue and ultimately lead to marriage.

Dating could be natural and fun for some. For others dating is one of the most difficult activities that they can engage in. It can be complex and it can be perplexing. Yet with some guidelines and the desire to circulate and meet people, dating can turn into a worthwhile and rewarding experience. How else can we discover that perfect life mate?

From the first glance to the first date, from the building of a relationship to making a lasting commitment, the stages of dating can be fascinating, exciting and enervating. In our infatuation, or our need to be in a relationship, some steps in the art of dating are frequently skipped. Some people will meet an attractive person and want to work on the relationship right from the start, before taking the time to determine all their compatibility issues.

Other people, through fear or reluctance to get further involved, never get past the first stages. They would prefer to just keep sampling the menu and not get struck with the same item and over again. It is a matter of personal taste and style. However, following the natural dating curve can be rewarding and a lot of fun. And throughout the journey we've opportunities to develop our charisma, maintain our attractiveness and let others discover how every irresistible we are!