Dating can be a very tricky and at sometimes confusing concept. There are many questions to be asked and answered. The hardest part is that no two relationships may need the same answer. Time limits are not functional for every couple and every couple is not at the same place in the relationship at the same time.
One question that many come across when dating is how many dates it takes to make the relationship serious? Are there a number of times that two persons can date that indirectly makes them a couple? When is it appropriate to say that you have a girlfriend or boyfriend rather than simply a date?
While all couples are different and as mentioned above time limits do not hold up for everyone, I think that there are some basic feelings that most people share about the questions listed above.
If it is not spoken out in the open that the two of you will continue to date other people, then there does come a point in time when it is assumed that you are not dating other people. Most consider that you are dating exclusive after you have dated regularly for a month or so without mentioning or dating someone else.
While maybe you have not directly made the commitment to only date each other, I think that it would be wise and respectful to discuss any intentions that you have of dating other people before going through with it.
In most adult relationships it is rarely asked to “go steady” or “be boyfriend and girlfriend”. In most cases overtime it just happens.
However if you are questioning whether or not you have had enough dates to earn the right to call your dating partner boyfriend or girlfriend, it is best to be open and discuss it rather than make false assumptions.