When someone youre dating offers exclusivity without the actual relationship part of your relationship, its easy to feel like its some kind of soft rejection — like breadcrumbing, but with actual, in-person interaction.

Is exclusive and dating the same thing?

When youre casually dating, you should expect that your dates are also casually dating; its just part of meeting new people. Exclusive dating means youre both not dating anybody else. Dating goes from casual to exclusive when, typically after a few dates, you both decide youd like to see each other exclusively.