Q: How many times should two young people go out before deciding to get serious?
A: The answer is you have to get serious the first time. Now it doesn’t mean you have to propose the first time but they must be serious. If you’re not serious, forget about it. You don’t go out unless it’s for a purpose.
If you’re asking when should he propose, it doesn’t depend on times. Each one should ascertain to the best of his or her ability the character and the background of the other one. When you feel reasonably certain that you’re dealing with a responsible individual, a healthy individual, and someone who is of the same set of ideas as your own then it’s time to get married without any further ado – even the first time.
TAPE # 506 (May 1984)