The concept in dating of seeing other people is initiated for one of several reasons.

1. The relationship is new and neither party is yet committed.

2. One party in the relationship, often the guy, wants a girlfriend but wants concrete evidence that the relationship is not serious.

3. One or both parties in the relationship remain confused.

4. One party in the couple wants to get out but doesn't know how to do a non-gradual breakup.

5. One or both parties in the relationship wants to test the limits of what is or is not allowed.

6. The couple is not a couple. The couple is made up of two selfish people to whom sex is more important than love.