THERE has been a major debate about the difference between what talking stages, dating, and situationships really mean for modern relationships.

While others think differently, many agree that during the talking stage, they shouldn’t talk to anyone else and should be loyal to one person. Most students don’t even have the same definition of what it means to be in a situationship.

Edwin Esquivel (12) speaks from experience when he says a situationship is when you go back to the same person three times, knowing that the outcome will be the same. Esquivel knows about this kind of situationship, as he has gone through it many times. Situationships are awkward, but sometimes they’re worth it.

“In a talking stage, you find out if a person is the right fit for you,” Esquivel said. And while some might think it’s OK to talk to multiple people, Esquivel disagrees. “It shouldn’t happen because it only confuses you and you end up picking the wrong person,” he said.

“A situationship is basically friends with benefits, and it only happens because you want attention,” Dario Maldonado (12)  said. He doesn’t like the idea of a situationship at all and thinks it’s pretty much a waste of time. Maldonado says it is better to be in a committed relationship, and to get there, they must go through the talking stage. “A talking stage is when two people who like each other get to know each other,” he said. The purpose of a talking stage is to see if two people are compatible. He said that he dates with the intention of getting married someday.

Chantel Lozano (12) says the talking stage is when you’re a little more than friends, and you know you like each other, but you’re not fully committed. She also says that during the talking stage, she could talk to others, but she remained loyal and spoke to only that one person.

“Dating is when you introduce your partner to your family, and you’re committed to each other,” Lozano said.
For Lozano, a situationship is when two people know they like each other but don’t do anything about it. She says that for a relationship to last, there must be good communication and boundaries.

“I don’t think you should have a situationship,” said Daniel Santos (12). He says that a situationship is when one person is talking to multiple people and isn’t committed to any of them. Santos doesn’t like the idea of talking to multiple people. He says that staying loyal to one person is important and that a talking stage shouldn’t be treated like a game.

When it comes to dating, Santos says that students should choose someone for their personality and not just focus on looks. “Dating is when you are serious, and you go on dates and see each other more,” he said.

In the end, most Lancers agree that a situationship is a complicated relationship that can bring both good and bad. A talking stage is for figuring out whether two people who like each other are a good fit. And lastly, for Lancers, dating means they are committed to their partner and plan to see each other more often.