the difference between going on dates and dating 

1) going on dates is self explanatory. you've hung out alone on purpose. dating is when you're not going on dates with anyone else, and ***THE GUY HAS ASKED THE GIRL TO BE HIS GIRLFRIEND.*** (or the girl has asked to be his girlfriend, or they decided amongst themselves that they were officially "dating"/"going out"; etc.)

2) dating is facebook official. ...most of the time.

Examples:
1)
Girl:"So I went on a date with Tom this weekend."
Girl's friend:"So are you dating him now?"
Girl:"No, he only asked me to go to the movies."
Girl's friend:"Do you think he'll ask you to be his girlfriend?"
Girl:"Probably not, he's a boy, so he probably doesn't know the difference between going on dates and dating, and thinks that one date means we're dating. I better set him straight."

2)
SMART BOY:"I went on another date with Lisa last night, it was really great. I think I'm gonna ask her to be my girlfriend tomorrow."
DUMB BOY:"Wait I thought you guys were dating?"
SMART BOY:"No, we've been on a couple dates, but we're not official."

3)
Boy:"Will you go out with me?
Girl:"On a date? Or dating?"
Boy:"Uhhh..."

the difference between going on dates and dating by informative girl November 14, 2011