Difference Between Hanging Out and Dating

Over the last 4 years or so, I've been morbidly afraid of any kind of commitment. So even when I was dating someone, I just preferred to refer to it as "hanging out" rather than actually call it dating. I didn't want to think of the possibility of ever commiting to someone, so I just simply ignored any possibility of me being more than friends with anyone.

Anyway, I met someone about 2 weeks ago and have been seeing him quite often. Last night, he asked me the question, "So are we dating?" and suddenly my ulcer acted up again. We ended up having a long conversation where he struggled to define to me what a date was. All this time, I really thought we were just simply "hanging out" as friends and I had no idea that he already considered the whole of last week as dating.

In the end, we agreed that when we go out to finally watch "Star Wars" tomorrow, it's officially a date. The whole of last week will remain to be a question mark since this really was a case of different expectations. He knows I have a really bad track record with my serious relationships. If he's willing to take the risk though, then I'll give him a chance.