Definition of being in a relationship

It's a grey area in my opinion. Personally if some one told me they were in a relationship I would assume there was sexual intimacy involved unless they said it was purely platonic. Shareing a bed would indicate to me that it was a sexual relationship. However it is possible to do that in a platonic relationship too.
They are both relationships, but then I suppose I have a relationship with my female friends in a way.

It begins and ends exactly where the people involved want it to and is of no business to anyone else there is no definite in questions like this

Yes I agree with what you say BlueBelle but like nina I would assume there was a sexual element if someone told me they were in a relationship.
When did we start "being in a relationship " as opposed to having a boyfriend /girlfriend /man friend etc.

Good question. I know a couple who were together for nearly 25 years until one of them died. They only lived together for the last four or five years and he said that’s when the relationship began, but she counted from when they first met.

My friend lives with her man, they love each other dearly but have not had sex in the 10 years they have been together. It wouldn’t suit everyone but I guess a relationship is just all about what the 2 people involved want, as long as they are both happy.

I suppose its something more than a friendship. Whether that's sexual or not is between the couple. As long as it works, it doesn't matter.

Christinefrance about relationships, why cant we just say boyfriend/girlfriend etc.

We can Diddy1 just seems that those labels have fallen out of favour a bit now. I would feel a bit diffident about saying I had a boyfriend now I am 70. Man friend would be more apt but sounds old fashioned now.

I usually say 'partner'. We don't live together, but spend most weekends either at his or mine. His grandchildren call me by my given name, but treat me as a granny :-)

Doesn't the term "relationship" include every type of way you can relate to someone, including "friendship" and "customer/supplier"? If you look at it like that, it's easier to tell because you will know if you're having sexual activity with someone or not, and then it's up to you to decide what you call it. A friendly relationship is when they talk to you just like all your other friends. A romantic relationship is when they look into your eyes longer than your other friends do and start implying you're special to them. A sexual relationship is... well when you start touching each other's naughty bits.

And then there is a "committed" relationship which entails someone giving you some sort of statement of feeling committed to you and you reciprocating. Obviously you know which of these things has happened.

It could also be said "when a boyfriend/girlfriend become a partner"?

I would feel a bit diffident about saying I had a boyfriend now I am 70. Man friend would be more apt but sounds old fashioned now.

Many people do talk about girlfriend/boyfriend, even at an advanced age.
I think it gives the impression that they have never really got off the starting blocks as they should have done, in their earlier life.

I say manfriend/ladyfriend and I think those terms should be popularised.

To go back to the OP - Does going away and sharing a bed in a hotel room constitute being in a relationship.
I'd say no, if there's no real relationship at any other time.

As already said, a relationship is whatever the people involved want it to be.

Young people these days use the word 'dating' though it seems to mean something different to them than it would to most of us. They use it for any couple who are together but not actually married, even if they're living and sleeping together. In my day, dating was when you still lived at home with your parents and went out on dates with someone.

@BlueBelle has it defined perfectly in my opinion.

My cousin has been with her man for 10 years. They don't have sex or live together but are regarded as a couple .They are in their 50s and most of our family find it slightly odd.

I will have been with my h 50 years next year. It’s a loving friendly comfortable relationship. Not much sex now but it’s not the be all and end all.

I have a male friend who I met 30 years ago, I met him before I met DH, once I met DH we all became friends although I was always close to P. Now I am widowed & live some distance from each other, we meet when we can, enjoy a nice meal & always lots of hugs, I consider this to be a relationship but he is my special friend.

Enjoying each others company is essential, sex is nice but not necessary

I guess When the two of you think it, feel it. & say it & both are committed to it .

Imo, a friendship is "a relationship" but NOT a "romantic relationship." Usually, a romantic relationship involves sex at some point, imo.

Not that sex alone or "sharing a bed" makes it a romantic relationship. That requires some talk and show of love, a deep emotional bond that you believe will last forever (even if it doesn't). And, imo, it also requires both people acknowledging they're "in a relationship." If one thinks one is in a romantic relationship with someone else and they don't, what good is that?

Iows, it takes two.

I think it could still be very romantic without sex being on the menu. Kisses, cuddles, holding hands, him letting you warm your feet on his (feet!)

Well if my husband shared a bed in a hotel room with a 'friend' I would not be happy about it. A friend is a person you have a meal with not share a bed with in mho.

You would not be happy but it wouldn't necessarily mean that they were in a relationship, newnanny. They might just be having a one night stand (without much standing, probably).