Letting the world know that you are “a couple” can be one giant step for a man. But before you take that step, there are a few surefire signs to look out for in order to be 100% certain you are as invested as you think.
Surprisingly, men are more likely than women to introduce someone they are dating to their friends after one month — and she may get the wrong impression if you introduce her to your inner circle and then don’t call her your girlfriend. So here are five ways to know you’re a couple before making any silly mistakes.
You start matching up schedules
There are a few basic social signs to look for that indicate if you are a couple even if you haven’t officially had that conversation yet. Making weekend plans is a clear sign. Before you may have been free and easy about your plans but now you are conferring with each other about next weekend or the one following in order to match up plans and schedules.
You have ‘The Talk’
When you start to match up your schedules, it seems only natural that at some point you have the conversation about where your relationship is going. The basics might be that you talk about exclusivity. The worst mistake you can make is to assume that this is the case only to be terribly disappointed or have your heart broken.
You post Facebook photos together
Then there is social media and in particular Facebook. If your Facebook profile page is a picture of the two of you, then you are telling the world that you are an item. Posting on each other’s walls is also a sign of public affection, but please think before you post.
You meet her family
How about some of those milestone moments that say you are a couple? Like the first time you say “I’d like you to meet my girlfriend”. Going to a wedding together is a pretty emotional experience that also says to your wider circle of friends, ‘we are an item’. Then there is meeting the family which can be tricky as family members say a lot about you and not everyone has the most functional and ideal home life.
You fight
There is also the first really big fight, the full on no holds barred argument which can also be a real turning point in whether you are in this relationship for the long haul. Or how about when you stop being so agreeable with each other and actually feel comfortable saying “No, I don’t like that”?