By Alison Carson

So you’ve seemingly met the perfect person. Full of promise and romance.

The only thing left to do is change your lonely relationship status on Facebook from “single” to “in a relationship”.

One little problem standing between you and the electronic commitment you desire — “talking.”

In the 2010 dating world, relationships are a lot more complicated than just “going steady.” Instead you meet someone, exchange numbers and friend requests. Ultimately engaging in a full on five-day text-a-thon where you cram in a month of getting to know someone.

Sure, it starts off promising, with the good morning texts (yes, with smiley faces on the end). However, if you have been in a talking relationship, you know it usually ends up with a 5 a.m. Xbox binge or chocolate ice cream, depending on your gender.

The thing with talking is that it begins with one person fully aware of the fact that they are not looking for this official relationship. They want to have their cake and eat it too.

Even though they are putting in the time talking to you, there are red flags everywhere. It looks more like a dangerous game of Minesweeper.

You notice they say things like “I just want to have fun” or “I’m not really looking to have a boyfriend right now,” which is seemingly contrary to all of the sweet compliments and messages previously received.

It is at this point that if you’re looking to get serious, you should run for the door. Actually, sprint.

The biggest mistake people make is trying to change the commitment phobes who have decided to put you through nothing but a “friends with benefits relationship” with a cute title like “talking.”

This means it doesn’t matter if you hook up with four other girls to make her jealous. And it definitely doesn’t matter if you try to impress him at the next party.

If you’re in over your head in “talking” I have found there is a breaking point. If at six weeks your potential girlfriend or boyfriend has still not surrendered to putting the little heart up on Facebook, it’s time to move on.

If they can’t let the rest of the population know they are seeing someone, it’s because they don’t want anyone to know.

Instead of compromising yourself — let them eat cake.