Relationship Struggles

Okay, so this is something I do not understand. Like at all. My friends and I were having this conversation in my study yesterday.

Like, what is talking? I mean, I understand that its the stage you're in before you're dating someone, but how do you know if you're talking to someone? If you ask your significant other and you are talking, they might be offended that you didn't know that already. But if you ask them and you aren't talking, then it's awkward. Like, how do you know if you're talking to someone?! A few of my friends have all concluded that if:

1. talk to the person everyday
2. if you get excited when they text you (which I don't think because you could just like them and get excited)
3. what kind of emojis or faces you both use when texting (winking, kiss faces, etc.)
4. if you talk in person just as much as you talk through text

 
I mean, all of these could be true. I don't even know. Another thing we were talking about is kissing & dating.

1. If you kiss someone, are you dating? No. First of all, it could be a drunk/random hookup. A one-time thing. Second of all, you could be a casual dater. Like, just go on dates without dating, ya know?
2. If say you're boyfriend/girlfriend but don't actually kiss, does it count? No. I know this girl and she and her "boyfriend" have been dating for about a month and a half but they haven't kissed yet. I don't believe that this is a legit relationship. Sure, they can be talking exclusively, are they really dating if they don't kiss? 
3. If you kiss when you're talking, are you dating? YES. I believe that if you kiss your significant other while you guys are talking, you are dating. I understand if you just don't wanna put the label on it, but if you kiss each other and someone asks if you guys are dating, you cannot say "no, we're just talking." Like no. 
4. If you talk to someone for and extended amount of time, are you dating? Again, yes. If you talk to someone for over 5 months, you are dating. Again, it's understandable that you don't wanna put a label on it, but you're not just talking. Especially if you do other things besides kiss. 

Well, I think this is all my rant. So toodles!