Hmmm, I must have my terminology all mixed up then.
I consider 'going out' as what most of everyone in this thread called 'dating'. I call 'dating' when you're in a relationship. If its serious relationship with time to back it up, then its a 'long-term relationship'.
Recently, my 3 year relationship ended. I am still not entirely sure who broke up first. She wanted to take a month break, but it was clear to me she wanted to break up. After a month, I gave it some serious thought and realized this was for the best, so I ended up breaking up with her. I guess we can say it was a mutual thing. Though if she never proposed the 1 month break, I might never have had the courage nor think about breaking up. I made promises, I meant to keep them.
Ok, well I kinda went out off topic here, I'll get back to the point. I am not ready nor sure if I want a relationship again so soon, so I've just been 'hanging out' with girls. Going out for walks under the sunset, watch a movie, play some pool, anything where we can just spend time together, getting to know each other more on that level and see if any sparks come up. Though we dont intend there are any sparks (atleast know theres a chance), we just enjoy each other's company. I usually go out with girls that I dont know too well, it makes things interesting. Going out with someone you know for a long time doesnt really have that chance to bring up sparks (not to mention its weird, its like going out with a sibling to me), so I call it hanging out. But this time, I've made an exception, there has been one girl that we've been friends for ages, but we've crossed paths. I've been doing a lot of things with her lately and I think she feels a spark as well. We'll go out some more and see where it goes from there.
Did this post just confused you more on the subject, SSG?