I think you answered your own question, its a,b or a combo of both, that depends on what the person whose partaking in it, wants out of it. Some like to date casually, some like to date to find the next be all end all.
Whats more important is that dating is one of the more powerful tools we have as LBS's to demonstrate that we are willing to move on, if the preference is that our WA's no longer wish to be with us. If I may borrow one of your quotes on LRT that I read almost every day from 11/21/00:
Quote: Its when you are no longer willing to put your life on hold while you are "waiting" for your partner to "recover" from their MLC, depression, an on-going affair, their lack of love for you, or whatever. You realize that you are in charge of your own life, that YOU are responsible for YOU, and you don't have to sit around in limbo until THEY change.
Dating, casually with friends or whatever, sends a strong message that "Yes, I'm OK without you". Dating, allows us to exhibit some of the more attractive qualities about ourselves, our charm, our attractiveness, our good naturedness, our great personality in a way that maybe, just maybe, our spouses will stand up and take notice when all attempts prior have come up less than satisfactory. Jealousy is human nature, we've all experienced it, and unfortunatley in many instances, its dating that provides the vehicle for our WA's to take notice that all the things that made them attractive to us to begin with, may now end up with someone else.. That is ONE POWERFUL MOTIVATOR. Personally, I took things for granted in my own M and my W found somebody else and I did everything I could to pursue and win her back, but it was too late. It all falls along the lines of not realizing what you had until its lost. Dating, is a signal to a WA, that if not committing is what they want, then OK, but..I'm worthy of receiving attention from someone else, I have qualities that others find attractive..
Dating is an excellent way to bring focus and attention back to our good points and boost our self confidence because we are being appreciated rather than taken for granted.. I guess the bottom line remains:
