When it comes to having sex, how long should you wait? Many of us have pondered this subject for years but have yet to find a suitable answer. In fact, about two decades ago, the classic television series Sex and the City sought to address the issue. The “three date rule,” popularized by Carrie Bradshaw and her pals, states that when meeting someone new, you should wait three dates before having intercourse with them. The idea is to allow you to assess the other person before jumping into bed with them. Furthermore, you don’t want to appear overly eager to the other person, but you also don’t want to wait too long to start having sex in case you’re incompatible.
Right away, it’s evident that the rule isn’t flawless, especially when it comes to not appearing overly eager. People who have sex on the first date are slut-shamed in our sex-negative society, as if their eagerness to bone implies something awful about their character. There’s something to be said for not procrastinating too much. You don’t want to put a lot of effort into a new relationship only to find out later that you’re not sexually compatible. Furthermore, if you wait too long, you risk losing your sexual tension and drifting into platonic friendship terrain. The Goldilocks approach to dating is basically the three date rule: It’s all about figuring out when is the best time to have “just perfect” sex. Is there, however, any scientific support for this theory? Isn’t it true that most people start having sex on their third date? Despite the fact that “date” is a very ambiguous concept, social scientists have failed to determine which exact date is the most usual for people to begin having sex. So, what exactly constitutes a date? Is it necessary to have one-on-one time, or may going out with a group of pals suffice? Also, what is the difference between “dating” and “talking” or “hanging out” with someone?
