[Always *]

I think that the answer to this is relative. I dated my current boyfriend for 2 months before we slept together. But a lot of people may have done so on date 3.

finding people to date is harder than it looks. I personally could never meet people at school. I didn't like partying, I didn't like bars, I wasn't super involved in campus. I generally did my homework and volunteered with children so my dating pool was small unless I wanted to poke at my small pool of male friends. So I turned to online dating. Some hardcore creeps are there, but I have a boyfriend now who has a good job and a university degree so what ever. Someone else might be different if you're less introverted, if you like loud get togethers and are involved at school, etc.

The natural progression also depends on the person. I held hands with my boyfriend on date 3, kissed him on date 4, and we didn't have sex for almost 2 months. Considering we were talking everyday some people might say that is slow. But for me it was right. And every relationship is different. You might want to do things faster, and get a guy who is down with tjat. You might do things faster and get a guy who wants to do things slow. Or vice versa. I don't even know if there is a natural progression. Some people will make out with a guy but not hold his hand. Things like kissing and sex you can manage without emotion. But holding hands is weirdly intimate and a lot of people won't do it unless they're super serious, even though other things came first. Again, preference. It's the same for a date. Dinner and drinks? Maybe. Maybe not. I personally don't dribk and since I drive, it's not like I can really have more than 1-2, which limits the effectiveness of a drinks portion of a date. Dinner and just sit to talk for a long time? Sure. Dinner and a movie? Dinner and a walk? There are endless possibilities.

The right time to get physical depends. I didn't have sex with my current boyfriend for almost 2 months. But at 16 months I did it after 3 and was rushed. My current boyfriend I love more than I can say, so it was ok to do it in 2 months especially cause that felt "right". I have friends who are very catholic who were in a relationship for 5-6years before they got married (they got together in grade 10-12) and didn't have sec until they were married. Incidentally, she got pregnant within 6 months of being married. I don't know about you, but personally I dont think I'd want to have a baby at 23, so that's rushed to me. It's another factor. When you decide to do these things it depends on your preference.