Dates are completely circumstantial. A lot of people start dating someone they know and have been hanging out with for months/years anyway, so suddenly you're still hanging out, except GASP now you kiss and "take fancy bubble baths" together. Buuut if your friend suggests you go meet someone, and you decide to meet for coffee or whatever, then you're on a date.

I also feel that people put too much emphasis on dates i.e. we hang out and watch movies or play video games, but we don't go on "dates". In my opinion, if you're hanging out with someone you're interested in and just chilling, or testing the waters, you may as well consider it a date. No need to be all formal and then feel like you're been missing out when you've actually been out with girls before.

There is appeal in going on a date with someone because then both parties know that it's a romantic experience, and that's always nice. But also a bit stressful, don't you think? I think spending time together and going on spendy and stressful dates shouldn't be confused, because both have their place.

Well I can honestly say I have never been on a date but hopefully I will. The only I had were one night stands and this occured a lot when I was 17 and older.

Yeah, this kind of stems off what KG pointed out. Crazycatpup, it sounds to me like you actually have been on a date. You said you go hang out, maybe go to a movie or dinner. That is a date. The thing is, you nobody said "Do you want to go on a date", and you haven't made plans to go do something and  tell people you have a date. Nowadays, hanging out is just the same thing with a different name. You are doing what you would on a "date". 

For me, I still go on dates from time to time. When my fiancee and I decide that we haven't really done anything for a while, we plan on something to do, so that is considered a date too. 

I've only ever been on a "real" date a few times. Honestly I haven't had the need to date in order to get to know them; we already knew each other very well by the time I actually asked anyone out. Like with my current girlfriend; after spending a week at camp practically joined at the hip, the transition to an official relationship was pretty natural without any "dates" beforehand.