<p>My son tells me that at his high school, dating is actually the last step in a relationship. Kids hang out in groups and figure out if they like one another after lots of group activities, with the help of friends, Facebook, etc. He says that actually going out on a date – i.e., just a couple going to a movie – is almost like a marriage commitment here. Kids do not date around to see who they like; they decide they are a couple first and THEN go on a date, so once they go out as a couple they are already exclusive. It’s official when posted on Facebook.</p>
<p>That is backwards from how it was in my day, but I was never a fan of formal “dates” anyway. Old-fashioned dating sort of disappeared once I went to college. Never dated my husband.</p>
<p>I always use the cell phone when picking up kids – I don’t want to meet any parents. Kids’ school is very small, though, and I am acquainted with most of the parents anyway.</p>