I used to be on the bandwagon of thinking that chivalry was dead, no guys wanted to be in relationships and that the inevitable talking stage was the best it got for us. It wasn’t until I found myself and some of my close friends in relationships that I realized none of that is true. What it boils down to is the right time and the right person. I know I’m not an expert in the slightest, but I do think dating today is better than how it was in the old days.

First of all, people had families at much younger ages in the past. Many girls got married, had babies and stayed at home. While there is nothing wrong with that if it is what you want to do, now it is not something that is expected. Following your ~dreams~ is a lot easier and more encouraged.

Another great difference is that you don’t need to wait by your family landline for calls from your boyfriend or girlfriend because everyone is using cell phones. A text or personal call makes communicating and staying in touch with someone simple. Making plans or dates is more convenient for us because we have immediate access to our phones and computers.

It also needs to be said that “talking” to someone and hanging out for a while is not necessarily a bad thing. Getting to know someone before making it official is a smart approach. It can get tricky when one person realizes he or she wants a relationship out of it and maybe the other person doesn’t. And while it’s a lot easier said than done, if you’re honest about what you’re feeling and what you want, there is not much room for confusion.

Last but not least, our dating pool is unlimited. Back in the day, traveling or going away to school was not as common as it is now. We can pretty much get anywhere we want by booking a flight. Through these experiences, we are constantly meeting new people, which makes dating and figuring out what type of person we like easier for us. Online dating is another option many people use that the generations of the past did not have access to. And with online dating, the possibilities are endless.

As with everything, there are pros and cons, but I choose to look at our generation’s dating style as positive. The bottom line is that dating is not a simple equation; it is always going to be changing from generation to generation just like we are. The important thing is to not buy into the idea that dating is doomed because it really isn't; just keep in mind it’s all about the right time and the right person.