Guys, if you ask a girl to dinner, is it most likely for a date?

[BraveNewWorld]

I'm aware a man and a woman can go out together and share a meal without romance being involved. So I guess I'm just curious how a girl can tell the difference between a guy asking her on a dinner date and asking her to hangout.

When I told a friend of mine when I'm getting back into town, he let me know he'd be "taking me out to dinner that night." I'm very interested in him so I tend to look at his actions through rose colored lenses. Hence the general question. I know you guys can't tell me what my friend thinks of me and what have you, haha so that's why I left the scope broad.

[jp612612]

It depends. If I don't know the girl well, then it's always a date. But there are plenty of women that I've known for years. In that case, it would never be a date. You haven't given enough information to determine which this is, but I'm sort of leaning towards "not a date" as it sounds like this might be a close friend.

[BraveNewWorld]

I've known him for six months. We aren't the closest of friends, but he's cool to hangout with. We are both aware that we find each other attractive and sex between us has come up in conversation a few times (almost happened once).

But, I don't know, maybe it's the wording that gets to me. I'm sure it isn't a factor, but normally you "take someone out" on a date and "hangout/grab food" with a friend.

[jp612612]

Yeah, I wouldn't assume it's a date. I mean, I have a few female friends who I've actually had sex with and I take them to dinner. We both know that it's not a date and that at this point in our life, we're definitely just friends. I don't know what goes through their head, but I assume it's what goes through mine -- we're just friends and if we were ever going to be something more, it would have happened by now. With your guy, it's a little more unsure because it's only been six months, but I definitely wouldn't assume/get your hopes up that it's a date. Just assume it's a friendly thing and take it from there.

[FemWorship]

Date of course
but can get confusing if they share business, classmates/teacher, workout pals, et al.
... and that is what your situation is, more buddies catching up in a very convenient way... until one confesses deeper feelings... or this pattern continues

[AirForceOne]

It depends on the conversation. IT could be platonic. He might just want to catch up, assuming you've not seen each other or talked for a while.

Or he missed you and wants to start something. Hit him up and ask "What restaurant? Do I need to dress up?" Stuff that like should help you gauge his interests.

[underconstuxion206]

Did he tell you or did he ask you? Usually when it's dinner, then it's considered a date, people usually keep it with just lunch, but dinner is a little more formal.

[BraveNewWorld]

He technically asked. When I let him know the day I'd be getting back into town, his response was: "That's good to know! Am I taking you out to dinner that night?"

[underconstuxion206]

Oh I see. Yea sounds like a date.

[RandomGuyAnswering]

No he's asking you to dinner because there isn't any food in the fridge. Of course it's a date are being serious?

[BraveNewWorld]

Yes, I genuinely wasn't sure. I didn't want to make an assumption because many of my guy friends express to me how difficult it is to just get to know a girl. Sometimes going to a movie or getting coffee or taking a walk through the city and talking is just a venue for bonding. No romantic interest necessary. I wasn't sure if a planned dinner fell into that group.

[RandomGuyAnswering]

It's a date

[Lopezz1999]

Any scheduled event with one or more people is a date. Doesn't matter if it's with friends or whatnot.

[Anonymous]

I'm leaning towards date.

But... If you guys have been friends for a while and no romantic moves have been exchanged it becomes blurred. There needs to be some flirting going on prior in my opinion.

[Lithium65]

If he asks you same day to meet up, likely not a date. If he plans many days in advance likely it's a date if he is picking you up.

[Titanic1912]

If a guy asks you to go anywhere with him, it's a date and vise versa.

[blondfrog]

No its for a business meeting.

[CapnHawk]

It's a date.

[BraveNewWorld]

What if you have already established a friendship with the girl?

[CapnHawk]

It's still a date.

[QuietRunner]

yes almost always it is