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..."
