Key Highlights
- TikTok creator @gabrielle.galapia outlines three distinct relationship phases—talking, courting, and dating—arguing that skipping the courting stage fuels the rise of situationships.
- Her video has amassed 1.7 million views and over 1,100 comments, sparking debate about whether talking to multiple people before exclusivity constitutes disloyalty.
- The Daily Dot notes it could not independently verify Gabrielle’s framework; the breakdown reflects her personal perspective shared with followers.
TikTok Creator Breaks Down Three Relationship Stages—and Why Skipping One May Lead to Situationships
Content creator Gabrielle Galapia, known on TikTok as @gabrielle.galapia, recently posted a video dissecting what she sees as the critical differences between the talking stage, courting, and dating. The clip has resonated widely, racking up 1.7 million views and more than 1,100 comments as viewers weigh in on modern romance terminology. Gabrielle opened with a disclaimer: “these are just general things to know about dating, obviously everyone’s situation and timeline is different!”
The Talking Stage: Exploration Without Exclusivity
According to Gabrielle, the talking stage is an introductory period where two people learn each other’s interests, preferences, and values to gauge compatibility. She emphasized that exclusivity is not expected at this point, noting it is common for someone to converse with multiple prospects simultaneously while deciding whom to pursue further.
Courting: The Overlooked Commitment Bridge
Gabrielle described courting as a more traditional phase that often gets bypassed in contemporary dating. She explained that by this stage, both parties have already invested time getting to know each other and have mutually decided to pursue a serious relationship. Loyalty becomes explicit, she said, and compatibility is tested against broader contexts—including family dynamics.
Dating: Formalizing the Partnership
The final phase Gabrielle outlined is dating, where the two individuals establish themselves as a committed couple. She argued that jumping straight from talking to dating—without the intentional courting interval—creates a vacuum that frequently results in situationships: ambiguous connections that lack clear progression or defined commitment.
Comment Section Ignites Debate Over Loyalty During the Talking Stage
The video’s comment section quickly turned into a forum on whether engaging with multiple people before exclusivity is disrespectful. One user confessed: “I’m so guilty talking to multiple persons but I guess it’s just fine.” Another commenter pushed back against the notion that a woman entertaining other suitors while being courted is disloyal, writing: “I hate it when people call it disrespectful/cheating when it’s the boy courting a girl then the girl proceeds to also entertain some guys too. Like? NOT ME. If I can have more options, why tf should I limit myself with one guy?”
These reactions underscore a broader cultural friction: evolving norms around pre-exclusivity communication clash with lingering expectations of monogamous focus even before labels are applied.
Why This Matters
The viral discussion reflects a growing appetite for relationship roadmaps in an era where dating-app culture has blurred traditional milestones. By naming and sequencing stages—talking, courting, dating—creators like Gabrielle Galapia give audiences a vocabulary to articulate expectations and boundaries. However, The Daily Dot cautions that the framework is one creator’s personal taxonomy, not a universally validated model. As situationships remain a prevalent pain point, such schemas may help daters self-advocate, but they should be treated as conversation starters rather than prescriptive rules.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What are the three relationship stages Gabrielle Galapia identifies?
- She outlines the talking stage (getting to know each other without exclusivity), the courting stage (mutual commitment and loyalty while testing deeper compatibility), and the dating stage (formalized couplehood).
- Why does she believe skipping courting leads to situationships?
- Gabrielle argues that without the intentional courting phase—where loyalty is declared and compatibility is stress-tested—people slide into undefined partnerships that lack clear progression, which she labels situationships.
- Has The Daily Dot verified her dating-stage framework?
- No. The outlet explicitly states it “was unable to independently verify Gabrielle’s claims” and notes the explanation reflects her personal views shared under the handle @gabrielle.galapia.