Teach me about the different kinds of romantic relationships

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I can honestly say, at 28 years old, that casual dating is a relatively new concept to me. Growing up, I only knew about marriage and got the mindset that dating was only about that. (Especially because you are legally single until you're married, and that you're not officially a couple until marriage) I thought that anybody was romantically available until they were married, until I learned a little bit about dating relationships. A counselor had to teach me about friends with benefits.

So, what are the other kinds of relationships besides FWBs and marriage? How casual or serious can causal dating be? This is all brand new to me.

Casual relationships more or less aren't really taken seriously as far as I know. They may entail casual sex and what not. I'd say a friends with benefits relationship would fall under this category.

There are also polyamorous or open relationships, which means that both members of the couple can see other sexual partners casually.

All I can really say is that I'm absolutely casual. It causes confusion however I'm glad I'm remembering to keep anxiety to a dull roar, which really helps me as I try to keep things calm & friendly.

Whatever can be thought up and desired, can exist. Outside of marriage, one could be single and abstinent, single and sleeping with people, single and casually dating people, in a monogamous relationship, in a non-monogamous relationship, in multiple relationships, the list goes on and on. A married person can also be in other relationships, be sexually active or not with their spouse, etc. etc. etc.

If you can come up with a type of relationship, someone out there is probably in it.

going steady implies monogamy or exclusivity short of engagement. just be clear with whomever you are in a relationship with and ask them to be clear about their expectations.

I'm living proof...

How can you tell if two people are about to get engaged of if they're dating casually?

That would probably be a matter of asking them, unless you somehow find a frame of reference elsewhere.

Remember it's not that black and white. Two people can be very serious (i.e. not dating casually) and yet not about to get engaged. Some people do not intend to ever get engaged. So I think what you are asking is how to tell if a couple is casual or serious? It depends how well you know the people and their private lives. If you see a couple holding hands down the street it would be near impossible to tell. If your best friend is dating someone for a while and they tell you how serious they are, or you have observed that they spend most of their time with one another and are maybe living together or something like that, you would have an idea that they are probably more serious. There's no simple answer. The only way to really know is to ask or have them tell you.

And how can you date someone for several months (holding hands, snuggling, and everything), but still call the partner your "friend?"

i couldn't. they'd be a boyfriend.

Yeah at that point its more than a friendship to me to. I feel like the only reason the partner would be called a 'friend' by their S.O is if that S.O is introducing them to someone and for whatever reason embarrassed to tell the other party they are together. But that doesn't sound like a very good relationship to me.