Well isn't dating essentially just the process of becoming "intimate friends"? Learning about the other person, seeing what you have in common, seeing how much enjoy each others company. Now if you're talking about how long you wait to have sex, that's a different conversation. I've had relationships were we hooked up barely knowing each other's names then dating for months or years. And I've had relationships were we went weeks or months before having sex. Lastly I'll say that the true sign of if a relationship was based on friendship or say physical attraction is if you remain friends post break up.

Just be groovey and you’ll get a friend and partner.

Never volunteer for friend zone.

I'm not a fan of the whole "let's be friends" thing first. You might just never get out of the friend zone. It negates everything we know as humans when dating. It might work for some people, but not me. Women in general want a guy to be aggressive yet respectful. You can't be aggressive at all when you're just a friend. It makes the man seem like less of a man and probably subconsciously turns the woman off. It's why if you haven't made a move by at least the 3rd date, the woman is likely to lose interest and move on. That's just what I've read and also experienced. If you're both attracted to each other then there is no reason why you can't be more within a certain amount of dates. What's the point otherwise? It's not an exact science and it differs for individuals I guess, but that's my take.

People can get to know each other while they're dating. But apparently people believe you have to become friends before they start dating. I don't believe that. So if I like someone but they want to become friends that fine but I not wasting my time chasing someone who don't like me.

Date. Then figure out if being friends only is the way to go.

I don't know if there is a hard and fast rule (that works consistently) in what should come first. I've experienced, for example, a super-involved relationship where my partner and I had become best friends, best lovers, best everything, then something (I'm not sure what) happened, she got emotionally screwed up (or something) - and, in less than a year, we went to total avoidance, then forgiveness, to hardly interacting. While in the relationship, I would have bet that it was an "eternal" relationship that began even before we met, and would have continued forever. But, through the complexities of human-ness (or something), the thing fell apart into an almost-vacuum at practically (if there is such a phenomenon) the speed of light! It was totally intense, lasting roughly 13 years, and ended not unlike a super nebula. Better luck next time - if there is a next time. LOL

My current interest i have known casually for 5 or so years, hardly noticed each other. Now, Zowieeee!
Right place right time, damn right guy!!
BTW, I am 69, he is 73

To be a successful relationship people must know as much about the other as possible. Compatibility depends on knowledge and shared values. The older one gets the more important this is. A strong base must be established and that takes time. It is imperative for me to be friends first.

A, one time partner turned into a friend. We were not compatible as lovers but have been friends for over 20 years. Starting out as friends would have saved us a lot of anguish. She once tole me that when her mother died her father remarried within a week! She said her parents were close friends to another couple. The husband died from the other couple but the wife stayed close to my friends parents. When her mother died the survivors were close enough to know what they wanted. My friend said it was a good marriage and she really liked her step-mom.

I am starting to think dating has a different definition than what I may have thought in the past

Darn... some of the questions here are just too much! This is not kinder garden for adults. Come on nah! Darn, did I woke up grumpy today! I Fucked a few of my Best Friends. So what? They still not complaining. They are your friends and they want to know if the rumors about you are correct and true. So they take a chance. Sometimes it is yourself who allowed to be seduced as they practice on you their charm, sometimes they want to be taught without being told they are being taught. You are the Safe Option of Choice. If you had never played that position in the team... You Missed Out Dearly. You need to be position yourself to be the "Go to Guy". It is part of being the "Only One She Trust". But keep it a Secret Damn It.

Personally, I think if you become too much of a friend its difficult to take it anywhere else.

I agree, getting to know each other while dating is the best, I tend to be to close to friends. It is a touch awkward when it becomes romantic. Getting introduced through friends is still a powder keg, but at least there is something in common. The scene with Darlene and Dewey singing their duet in walk hard did a good job portraying it for me. As one friend says the only reason I am still around is we never dated.

Being friends that date is the best scenario. Basing your relationship on the friendship that is there will provide a stable basis for wherever the relationship goes.

It depends, if you decide together that you want to take things slowly.

You answered your own question.

It is a great question. I have dated a LOT in my life and the vast majority were dating at first. The relationship always , seemed to me anyway, that it was committed due to the sex. Now at the age of 66, I am single and not wanting to date any further I want a good female friend and then see where it goes.
Good luck to both of us