How to Know If Your Crush Is Asking You on a Date

Once your crush asks you to hang out, it's totally a date… right?

In theory, yes. In reality, maybe not. Depending on your relationship and the circumstances around your hangout, your crush could be shooting for a friendly chill sesh, rather than a full-on tryst.

But how you know the difference? We might be able to help. Click here for our tips on how to know if your crush is asking you on a date.

Do They Use the Word 'Date'?

We'll start with an easy one—if your crush uses the word "date" in any context, you can pretty much assume it's an official date. This is still true if they say it as a joke or make a casual reference like "it's a date!" Basically, you can take your crush at their word. If they say date, they mean date—don't overanalyze the situation.

(Riverdale via The CW)

 

Who Else Is There?

Here's where things get tricky. Did your crush invite you to a one-on-one hang? Or did they extend an invitation to a group activity? At face value, it seems super exciting to be invited to hang out with your crush and their friends. That has to mean they enjoy your company, right?

Unfortunately, a group hang doesn't really equal a date. They definitely enjoy your company, but they may be viewing you as more of a friend rather than a romantic interest. If it's anything but a one-on-one hangout, you can't consider it a date off the bat. That doesn't mean they're not interested in you, but it does mean they haven't yet extended the invitation for an official date (unless they specifically call it a "group date").

 

What's the Activity?

Unfortunately, even if your crush asks you to hang out one-on-one, it still might not be a date. The activity also has to be taken into account. If thought and planning goes into your hangout, it's probably a date. This could range from dinner and a movie to a concert to a school function they want to attend with you. The important part is that your time together involved prior planning.

If, however, they ask to hang out with you out of convenience, it's probably not a date. Grabbing ice cream after school because you're both bored or offering a ride because you're heading to the same place are indicators of friendship, not romantic interest. It's still cool to hang out with your crush one-on-one, but it can't yet be considered a date.

(Riverdale via The CW)

 

What's Your Relationship?

Last, but not least, your prior relationship with your crush also has to be taken into account. If you've barely spent time together and they're suddenly asking you to hang out, it's probably a date. However, if you have a well-established friendship and they show an interest in spending time with you, it's not that out-of-the-box.

There are certainly ways to develop a relationship with a crush who's also a friend. However, if you're close pals, you can't expect every hangout to be labeled as a date. In fact, you'll probably have to sit down and have an official conversation confessing your feelings for one another before you can move forward. Inconvenient, we know, but it will rid you both of that nasty gray area.

 

When in Doubt, Ask

If you still can't determine whether or not your crush is asking you on a date, there's no harm in just asking. It feels awkward, but questioning whether they want to hang out as friends or as something more will eliminate potential embarrassment for both of you in the future. You'll both be on the same page, and you won't be expecting entirely different things out of your hangout. And if it's not the answer you want to hear, it's better to find out sooner than later.

 

Looking for more dating advice? Click HERE for nine possible reasons why you can't make your relationships last.