That's a good question I'm glad you asked..lol.. I don't know..
But let's figure it out together..
Shall we..lol..
What does it mean.. seeing each other once in awhile.?.
See each other but dressing only casually.?

Lol

Or does it simply mean to people that enjoy each other's company when they both have time.. often as possible..
But with no real rush to turn the relationship into something long-term permanent.... casual..

You both have the freedom to date other people if you wish and decide that's what you want to do..

I believe it means you like each other but you're not looking for something more than friendship and fun and great sex together
.. companionship...

It's a way of let's say test driving a car without actually buying the car.

But with the option to buy the car if you really like it...

But what do I know..lol

I think it would be a casual relationship until it became exclusive....

A relationship between 2 or more people where no one that is part of the relationship is motivated to actively or subconsciously work towards changing the organically developed relationship boundaries or expectations, with the purpose of the relationship being shallow and platonic yet socially fulfilling.


IMO if there is any motivation to change the relationship boundaries or expectations, or if there is active "work" towards keeping the relationship "where it is" then it's not really a "casual" relationship.



Most relationships develop naturally and organically and people figure out what the boundaries and expectations are.

A lot of people try to control a relationship. Defining the boundaries and expectations and then try to pigeonhole people into them. That never really works for social relationships.
Only among those with defined roles and obvious divisions of power.
Like in the military, private/DI. Or at school with teacher/student. Dom/sub. Boss/employee.

It means you don't have to wear a tie, but you can't wear jeans.

At least, that's what I learned from the memo at work.

I was never knowingly in a casual romantic relationship, so I don't know what they feel like.

I've observed from the outside, though, that just as with more formal arrangements, it's rare that both people in them are assuming the same things about it all.

And I guess that if you talk about it in advance and make a formal agreement about it that would mean it wasn't casual after all.

So near as I can tell, what it really boils down to, is that you aren't allowed to yell at someone you are in a casual relationship with, when they disappoint or upset you. That seems to be the main goal most people who call for such, seem to have.

That is usually called friendship.
However, you can be in a casual relationship with someone that is not a friend. For instance a casual relationship with your neighbor's kid or a bartender, barber or parking attendant.

An intimate relationship is not casual. It is intimate.
Intimate relationships can be dedicated relationships as well.

A formal relationship is one that requires formal etiquette during the entire relationship. There are behavioral boundaries that keep the relationship formal at all times. Relationships in the workplace, legal proceedings or church.

Courting for any reason is an intimate relationship. It can be a physical relationship or a procedural exercise leading to a dedicated relationship or both.

FWB is a physical intimate relationship.
Marriage is meant to be a dedicated relationship.
Dating is creating intimate relationships with multiple people, usually for determining the best partner for a dedicated relationship. There is nothing casual about dating.

... first off I wasn't referring to just women as Vehicles men apply too...
but most women refer to them..(men) in the form of being tools.. instead of vehicles..

Lol

This scenario is almost funny. I'm 1/2 century old and I like to believe I've grown up. Besides the more I look around and see what I see the more I see maybe this is not for me.

Funny thread,,,but you have to admit that a fast car is a bit sexy when you get out of that gate in a downtown race from light to light. HA

you think so ?

Yup!

I personally think that casual is when there is no plan for a future together. You just spend time together for however long it remains mutually enjoyable. .

However, in reality, a caasual relatonship or even a formal relationship often ends up being whatever a couple mutually defines it to be.

Generic labels and definitions dont work for any couple unless they both define their relationship in the same way

It's basically a relationship that has no definition. Could be as simple as........

-Hey....can you watch my dog while I am on vacay? Great. I'll bone ya later.
-Hey....let's go have dinner and a movie because my other friends are busy...or because I am wanting to have hot, stinky, sweaty sex with ya.
-Hey....let's watch a romantic movie because this chick/dude broke my heart and I need ya.....tons of ice cream, chocolate and wine to drown our sorrows.
-Hey....I need you friend because, while I know we never really hooked up (and I don't know why we never did), you are still a trusted friend and I will always need you around.

Maybe it's just dating before any commitment on either side, until one party wants a commitment to something more serious in the long term, and decisions need to be made by both parties on their future, whether they stay together or find someone else.

Well I think it's the starting out stage, like you said test driving the car. I mean you date a bit try to find the common ground ect. And if that goes smoothly the sex comes into play. I have a 3 week rule, get to know you see if we connect emotionally and at 3 weeks sex. That way if we're not on the same page sexually, were not in so deep emotionally that anybody gets hurt if we walk away.

I'm thinking it when you haven't found the person you want so until you find them, you hang out with the best option with no commitments.

My 2 cents.

Friends, running buddy, to events and functions and no sex.