Dating 101: Taking it Slow?

I’m can’t lie: I thought this day would never come. The day when I finally decide that I’m okay about my last breakup – and willing to accept a date from a male. Yes, that’s right. I went out last night and had dinner with a boy.

It was completely harmless – super-friendly and not awkward in the least. Besides the fact that I’ve known this guy for 2+ years, we never got to know each other in “that way” before. The closest our conversation ever came to a heart-to-heart involved discussing whether to buy Coors or Budweiser and who got to play the drums in Rock Band.

Regardless of the fact that he’s cute, smart, somewhat wealthy and one of the nicest guys I’ve ever met – I know that I’m not ready to be in a relationship. But here comes the dilemma: We’re friends and considering I haven’t had the easiest time making close friends since college, I want to keep as many as I can.

I definitely don’t want to reject the guy, but I don’t want to jump into something too soon and ruin another friendship. I guess that I just don’t know how to go about handling the situation. It seems like no matter what I decide to do I’m going to either get hurt, or hurt him. But at the same time, I’ve been a rather lonely girl for the past three months and finally having a little male attention feels nice.

From what I've read, taking it slow is an essential part of dating -- especially right after the end of a serious relationship. It means being less demanding, more understanding, not hitting the sack after two dates and not expecting to do all those coupley things right off the bat. Sounds perfect! So, how exactly do I go about explaining to this guy that I want to “take it slow”. And -- how slow it too slow?

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