What's in a name?

Dating used to be much more concise back in the day. Listen to stories from your parents about how they met, or furthermore from your grandparents, and it all just sounds so brilliantly easy. They would meet, hit it off, 'go steady' and that was that. Sounds all well and good, but us 21st century twentysomethings don't have it as easy. With terms such as 'dating', 'hooking up', 'seeing each other', 'kicking it casual', 'an item', etc., it's no wonder we're all roaming around uncertain of our 'title' with our current partner.

The dreaded talk. It goes something like: "Where do we stand? Are we in an open relationship? Seriously, are you sleeping with other women? So then you certainly don't mind if I sleep with other men, right? Will you commit to me? Why aren't you buying me fancy dinners and only calling me at 3am? Why are you receiving my delivered blackberry messages and not responding?' It's a talk where - though we may not directly ask these questions - we tip toe around them, wanting so badly to know what the other person thinks of us and where they see "this" going.

Well girls, let's make no mistake of it. If we open our eyes and ears and see the relationship (or 'fakelationship' if you will) for what it is, chances are you already know. Yet despite this, us overly-analytical does-he-or-doesn't-he like me/want me/want me-and-me-only kind of thinkers can't let things just be. So we - after much rehearsing - get up the nerve to ask him the dearly dreaded question, where do we stand? Poor guy.

To our surprise, said guy tends to respond with a title. A title which we wish we had a dating dictionary for because we just have no idea what in the world this title means. And no, it's not because we are blonde. Each term sounds just the same as the next and after countless hours whining and debating with our besties in regards to what the title provided to us means, we still have no clue.

Fret no more my curious cuties. I have composed the overly recited titles that we hear uttered from our partners mouths, and will give you a straight up definition in pure Jenny Jen style. Stop sweating and start realizing what he means when he tells you what you guys are.

Defining Dreaded Titles

Hooking up:

Sleeping with each other, fooling around, no strings attached. You and this kinky carnivore are just having your cake and he is eating too. The hooker-uppers of the world want it when they want it and don't plan on bringing you as a date to a friends wedding anytime soon. No matter how many times you go down on this guy, rest assured, you won't change his mind. Hate to break it to you sweet cheeks, but the guy who refers to your sac sessions as "hooking up" see's no future and won't be sending you roses this valentines day. (And don't be surprised if he ignores your calls in and around that date).

Seeing Each Other:

A step up from hooking up. It usually involves some dates here and there too (not too shabby). This guy is in a fairly casual relationship with you. To him it is nice and easy - he is as minimalistic as he can get away with. He isn't being over the top, just does what he can to get by to ensure he can get in (so to say). Wink wink.

Dating:

You lucky little devil you. This guy is either testing out the waters to see if you are relationship material, or he's lonely and wants a pretty face (and perhaps a nice rack) to look at while out for dinner, at a bar or at other date-like venues, (fill in the blank with your venue of choice.) Either way, this guy and you go on set dates. He calls you up at the beginning of the week, you make a set plan and he wines you and dines you as you chat the night away trying to get to know each other under the surface. And yes, after the date you are allowed to go back to his place. But take it slow with the dater. This guy likes your company and isn't going anywhere. Let things happen naturally with the dater and be open to the potential of a future. If you are looking for a relationship, dating is a good title uphold.

Official:

If you and your man are official, he's telling everyone. No seriously honey, everyone. From his parents, friends, and work colleagues, to the gas station attendant who fills his car to his barber to well - anyone who will listen. He wants to make it known that you are his other half and would scream it on top of the mountain if there was one close enough. Once you are official, you are at a point where you see a future together. You're committed to each other sexually, and mentally as well. The official relationship status is also known as 'going out' and/or 'boyfriend and girlfriend.' But just because you two have now declared your infatuation with one another to the world, don't drop the ball. Relationships takes work, and you're up to bat.

- Jenny Jen