Anonymous wrote:As many as you feel comfortable juggling logistically - assuming before getting physical, and before making exclusivity commitments.
From a practical standpoint, I have never been able to fit more than three in. At that point logistics sort of take over. But you can always drop one out of three and get another to fill in. When the right person comes along, everyone else falls off naturally.
And as an old married woman, I tell you that you should gather your rosebuds while you can. Once you're married, that's it for variety. But the truth is that every man has something that the other doesn't, so they are all enjoyable in different ways. So you should feel zero guilt about enjoying that smorgasbord while the going gets good. It's not going to last. Might as well enjoy it while you can. I am content being married, but dating lots of men was fun at the time because you get exposed to different things you otherwise wouldn't.
Anonymous wrote:The one you like that is so busy with work is married.
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:I think it's ok to date around when you're just casually dating. The tricky thing for me was always keeping the details straight. At one point I actually had a spreadsheet so I could remember that Guy 1 went to college at UVA and Guy 2 had a sister named Lisa. I'd glance at it before dates to brush up.![]()
I think generally you'll know after 2-3 dates if someone is interested and if you're interested enough to keep it going.
I had a terrible time keeping straight what I did with whom...my (now) wife was always telling me, "no, you saw that movie with your other girlfriend". It was embarrassing as heck...and she was sometimes correct! I am totally not cut out for more than serial monogamy (and now, just plain monogamy).
Anonymous wrote:I think it's ok to date around when you're just casually dating. The tricky thing for me was always keeping the details straight. At one point I actually had a spreadsheet so I could remember that Guy 1 went to college at UVA and Guy 2 had a sister named Lisa. I'd glance at it before dates to brush up.![]()
I think generally you'll know after 2-3 dates if someone is interested and if you're interested enough to keep it going.
Anonymous wrote:I agree that as many as you have time for, can keep straight and want to date, is the right amount. If one of them asked you if you were going on dates with someone else, would you give an honest answer?
I have dated several men at the same time -- dated as in, gone out on a couple or three dates, agreed to another, but not having sex with them and did not agree to exclusivity. I assumed that most of them were doing the same thing. Dating means, going out on dates (not relationships, to me). Unlike you, OP, my free time is very limited. It would be a turn off to someone who really wanted lots of time and wanted that immediately. I also had no doubt that some of these guys wanted to go out several nights a week (and that wasn't going to be with me).
As with another PP, when I met my BF, the situation resolved itself in time. He did not give me a hard time b/c of my schedule and he took the time to get to know me. I think that is what the dating process is for -- figuring out if this person is a good match for you. I have never carried on multiple romantic relationships -- I have not found myself feeling that way towards more than one person at a time. I'm sure some people can.
Dating is the process that leads you to "the one." It sounds like you should keep your options open, as you suggest. Don't write one of them off if you think there is potential. The busy guy may be less busy in a month. If your timing is off just by that much, you may miss out on him just b/c other guy is persistent and available.
OP: Thanks. Good thought that I should be careful not to end up in something with someone just because he is persistent.
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:The one you like that is so busy with work is married.
NP here, and I am also online dating and have a guy like this, wondered the same thing- unless he is dating OP and several other women at the same time!!!
Anonymous wrote:The one you like that is so busy with work is married.