'Forehead kisses are confusing': Women State Their Personal 'Dont's' of Casual Dating

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Elna McHilderson • Managing Editor
Dec 16, 2024 9:00 PM EST

Dating can be super fun and extremely confusing. It can take you on the ride of your life or the pitfall of your nightmares. But when it comes to intimacy or love, it's worth the risks. The key is knowing what you want, or at least knowing at first. When it comes to casual dating, this is even more important. You don't one partner think things are going towards matrimony while the other thinks it's just a fun little casual thing. Being direct and constantly checking in on where each partner is at is extremely important. If you are new to casual dating, know that it is not for the weak of heart. If you are looking for love, then this path is not for you. But if you are just looking to get to know yourself better on an intimate level and have some fun, then, baby, you got this! Just check out these useful "don'ts" from women on Reddit to help guide you through it. 

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  • 01
    "The Don'ts of casual dating'
    via Unsplash+ (and Meg Aghamyan)

    This image is for illustration only, and the subjects are models; the image does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 02
    What are the don'ts of casual hookups? Eg forehead kisses are confusing. What else?
    via darkblueundies
  • 03
    whitegirlTO Don't go straight to their place/invite them to yours before meeting in public first. Vibe check is so important.
    via whitegirlTO
  • 04
    onegirlandhergoat Don't forget to use condoms. Bring your own. Don't learn this lesson the hard way.
    via onegirlandhergoat
  • 05
    Acedia_spark I dont mind people being. affectionate pre- or post- hookup. Even hanging out in bed to chat and cuddle is totally fine. But following my last casual hookup -
    via Acedia_spark
  • 06
    Don't 10 minutes after the clearly stated casual hookup tell me you've fallen in love with me and want to start seeing me more, then refuse to leave and then blow up my phone for weeks using your mental health issues as a manipulation tactic to see me again.
    via Acedia_spark
  • 07
    celestialism Don't hook up with people who can't make you laugh, as (for me at least) there's just no point.
    via celestialism
  • 08
    lamyourteamleader Never leave more than a toothbrush at the others place.
    via Iamyourteamleader
  • 09
    drunkenknitter Don't get attached. If forehead kisses = attachment to you, don't do that thing.
    via drunkenknitter
  • 10
    ChallengingKumq... Always get them to send you a quick video beforehand, or facetime, even if only for 30 seconds, so you can see them and check they're really them, and they look OK. Tell them you have a meeting or something 11 or 2 hours from the tiem you meet them,
    via ChallengingKumquat
  • 11
    to (a) allow you to draw things to a close because you "have to go" and (b) give the impression that someone will notice if you're late, even if it's a lie. Tell someone where you're going. If it's too embarrassing, you couls write a text to your mum or whoever, with a what3words location, and set it to send in 3 hours time. If all goes well, you can just delete the text; if something worse
    via ChallengingKumquat
  • 12
    happens, the text sends itself automatically. Clearly and explicitly let them know what is ok and not ok beforehand. Eg I've written "Please don't hit me, choke me, or take any videos or photographs. I'd be really upset and angry if anyone did that to me."
    via ChallengingKumquat
  • 13
    ZoebsJackson Don't make promises you won't keep, avoid too much affection (like forehead kisses), and keep things clear about what you want
    via ZoebsJackson
  • 14
    WayApprehensive2054 I have a very specific list which is totally not due to personal experience: no exchanging clothes like sweaters, do not go on dates (especially Valentines day), do not hang out casually for the whole day before, and do not make promises you cannot keep. Basically, the affectionate and meaningful stuff you do in relationships other than would advise against it if you are not experienced with FWB relationships and catch feelings easily. |
    via WayApprehensive2054
  • 15
    ghostofanoutcast I think the only don't is going over to a strangers house. But other than that I respect all my hookup partners and wanna have as much fun as I can. That means kissing, cuddling, and I've had a couple just hang out and watch movies lol. But then again I'm pretty firm on boundaries and let them know exactly what my intentions are.
    via ghostofanoutcast
  • 16
    again I'm pretty firm on boundaries and let them know exactly what my intentions are. I wanna be taken out and end on a fun note and not have any expectations that I'll meet your family lol. Then afterwards we just go our separate ways and or just stay distant friends, has worked for me great!
    via ghostofanoutcast
  • 17
    cole1076 Preferably no kissing at all. No. staying the night. No cute little nick names. No blowing up. their phone with 5 texts back to back. No leaving scrunchies or things behind.
    via cole1076
  • 18
    215ls What's wrong with the exclusiveness? I mean I wouldn't want to bc why would I? But what would be the problem if someone wanted this? angstyaspen Because it's not casual. Even if you tell yourself "oh this is just more convenient and safe than having multiple partners," being exclusive with a casual hook up creates the risk that you might get attached, and causes you to pass up on other opportunities that could be really fun or could lead to something more significant. The obvious flaw with
    via angstyaspen
  • 19
    BalllsLifeMccartney it's less about you feeling comfortable saying no than it is his ability to take no for an answer and now he knows where you live whitegirlTO Totally! We all have our own comfort level and boundaries. When I was first on Tinder, I would meet men at their place/workplace within minutes of chatting online lol. A lot of things could have gone wrong but luckily nothing bad happened. But nowadays, that's not for me. Let's go for a coffee first, and if I'm feeling the vibe we can d
    via whitegirlTO
  • 20
    ArachnidGuilty218 I have never had a FB relationship. But it seems very affectionate to kiss, make out, hug, and cuddle with absolutely no romantic feelings. Maybe I'm the weird one. slutforbiscoff No you're not weird, I would catch feelings if they were funny and hot and I got on with them plus then doing sexual things with them.
    via ArachnidGuilty218

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