Okay, after further consultation, I need to put up a disclaimer.

Nobody should be asking me for advice on relationships ever.

I’m a divorcé who married the first dude who pretended to care about me and have been an absolute wrecking ball to nearly all of the people who have ever tried to get close.

I am majorly stunted when it comes to emotional development and interpersonal relationships. You really should go talk to Doctor Drew or something instead.

When one is dating consistently with one guy, how would one know if they are in a relationship? Would it be rude or inconsiderate to ask?

well, are you dating or… are you going on dates? Those aren’t the same thing. If you’ve talked it out and both say that you are indeed dating then, yes, you are in a relationship. If he hasn’t said something and you are feeling uncomfortable with the ambiguity then you need to ask him point blank to clarify things. It’s not fair to either of you to have unspoken expectations. I’m a firm believer in open, honest communication with all friends/lovers/boyfrans. If they can’t handle you asking a question like that of them, then they’re no good to be pursuing for a relationship.

Girl: OMG I meant to put ketchup on my hot dog, but I grabbed the bottle of mustard instead! Have you ever seen anything so ironic?
Me: That’s nothing. One time, I was king of Thebes (it’s this city in central Greece), and my city was dying of this plague. So the oracle at Delphi and this prophet buddy of mine told me we were cursed because someone had murdered the previous king and never been brought to justice… AND that this murderer was banging his own mother. Gross, right? So I announce to my kingdom and before the gods and all that shit that I’m going to save the city and find this mother-boning king-murderer, and make sure he is punished for his evil ways. But… and here’s the crazy part… it turns out ~I~ was actually the regicidal motherfucker and didn’t know it (long story). But, of course the Gods and the chorus and any audience chilling on the other side of that fourth wall over there knew all along that I was the one who had brought the plague on us and was therefore damning myself. Now THAT’s ironic.