Casual Encounters: From Casual Dating to Casual Sex

Doublelist Team

January 10, 2023 8 minutes read
Connect with straight, gay, bi and curious!


Interested in something intimate outside a committed relationship or without the expectation of a serious commitment, whether or not it’s sexual in nature? Then you’re looking for casual encounters. It’s a broad term that can describe anything from casual dating to all types of physical intimacy involving two (or more) consenting adults who are not interested in
anything serious. What are the benefits of casual encounters? Where can you find them? If “Keeping things casual” is your current relationship status, here’s everything you need to know to keep your casual urges satisfied.

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Casual Encounter Meaning

Urban Dictionary describes a casual encounter as, “When you just want to hang out with someone of the opposite sex without any additional obligations or expectations.”

Reverso Dictionary lists a few scenarios that qualify as a casual encounter: a happening by accident or chance; shallow or superficial, as in a casual affair.

Within the context of dating, sex, and relationships, “casual” can describe a “relaxed state” or “being unconcerned about what’s happening or what one is doing.” “Encounter” can either be an unexpected or significant meeting between two (or more) people. Casual encounters, therefore, can be a chance meeting between strangers or old acquaintances/friends. Or they may be previously arranged, and may or may not lead to some form of physical intimacy. It is understood by everyone involved that there are no expectations whatsoever afterward.

For people who are into hookup culture, casual encounter is synonymous with casual sex. Casual sex may describe any intimate and sexual activities that usually lead to intercourse. Or it can be as straightforward as it gets: you meet up to have sex. There’s no romance, commitment, emotional attachment, or familiarity.

These casual encounters typically occur between strangers or new acquaintances who will most likely never meet again — although a repeat encounter is not unlikely.

Other terms used to describe casual encounters include hookups, one-night stands, and booty calls. Ongoing casual sex with the same individual/s is referred to a friends-with-benefits (FWB) arrangement.

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Why Keeping Things Casual Can Be Healthy

The taboo surrounding casual encounters had all but burned out, particularly among younger generations in most modern societies. According to a Medical News Today article, “Sex outside a committed relationship can offer a low-pressure space to explore sexuality. Studies suggest that sexual exploration can support a healthy transition to adulthood. Additionally, casual sex can also be fun and help boost self-confidence.”

Another article describes casual sex as “a healthy sexual outlet, akin to regular exercise, or simply as an enjoyable physical experience, possibly enjoyed even more without the expectations, accountability, or pressures of a traditional romantic relationship.”

Evidence from a study about common reasons for having sex has also revealed that people who engage in casual sex do so for at least one of these reasons:

  • To hone their sexual skills

  • To reduce stress

  • To increase self-confidence

  • To improve social status

  • To get over an ex

Especially because casual encounters cover a wide array of scenarios and behaviors, their short- and/or long-term impacts also vary widely. Whether or not a casual encounter is physically or emotionally beneficial is mostly determined by the sexual partners and the individual situation. A positive response to casual sex is more likely when there is no excessive alcohol intake prior to the encounter. The same applies if sexual satisfaction is achieved, or when the sexual partners already know each other.

Casual Encounter Sites

Did the growing popularity of hookup culture lead to the explosion of casual encounter sites and apps, or is it the other way around? It’s a chicken-or-egg situation. But we have definitely come a long way from the days of browsing personal classifieds in tiny print in newspapers to search for potential encounters and serious connections. These days, anybody with a smartphone or computer can get hooked up after a few clicks or swipes. Check out the most popular online platforms for casual encounters today.

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Casual Encounter Craigslist Replacement

Craigslist personals used to be the number one go-to place for anyone looking for a hookup. After the section was permanently taken offline, countless similar platforms quickly took its place. Here are the top choices for casual encounter Craigslist replacement you can try.

  1. DoubleList Classifieds. Whether you’re straight, gay, bi, curious, or whatever you identify as, you’ll find something that will excite and satisfy you on DoubleList classifieds. If you have a preference for the traditional and minimalist format of the old Craigslist personals, this is as close as you’ll ever get. Get ready to connect with potential hookups near you — with individuals with the same desires and preferences as you.

  2. AdultFriendFinder. This is the largest dating and social network for adults and it’s also highly inclusive. The downside is that you can only choose one option for your preferred sexual connection. With millions of members worldwide, you’ll definitely meet more than one right match on this site.

  3. Seeking. This site is about “dating up.” You can choose matches based on your personal passions and expectations. You are given two options when signing up: successful or attractive people. Seeking is actually a sugar dating site, where “gifts” are given in exchange for “favors,” and vice versa. It’s an interesting way to find casual encounters, so give it a go if you’re successful, attractive, or both!

  4. SeniorSizzle. People of all ages can find joy and fulfillment in casual encounters — yes, even older adults over a certain age. SeniorSizzle is a dating site for people over the age of 50, and who are still looking to spice up their life.

  5. FetLife. You’ll find not-so-ordinary casual encounters here. FetLife caters to the BDSM, kinky, and fetish community. And it’s more than a dating site; it’s a social network with more than 10 million members around the world.

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Examples of Casual Encounter Ads

Eager to publish a hookup listing but not sure where to start? Here are some casual encounter ad examples to help you get started!

  • Let’s swap pics and see what comes next. 21 M femboy bottom looking to swap picks and maybe meet looking for older white hung guys.

  • Offering companionship to adventurous ladies. 31. Hi there, available and looking for fun, NSA, open-minded, let’s see what happens.

  • Hey man… who wants to play? 28. Fun attractive female in New York, looking for some fun. I can host.

  • 19 F4M California. Bored at work and down to talk about dirty things.

  • 21 F4M California. Wanna show off my nude, am looking for excitement and pleasure.

  • 18 MtF4A Finland Europe. A submissive, masochist girl looking for a dominant to use me and make me theirs.

  • 35 M4F NYC. Looking for my busty goddess!

  • Michigan TF4A 20yr old trans fem looking for a hookup

  • 33 m4f online. polite smooth horny male in need of a mistress and into femdom. Exploring ultimate new fantasies. Into edging, bdsm, torture, forced orgasm, anal.

  • 19 M4F Montreal. Looking to worship someone or a couple!

  • 25 M4F Seattle/online. Just got home from a long workday and looking to blow off some steam. Let’s have some fun and get off together. Could be a one time thing or somethig more. Tall and fit, with my own place.

  • 20 F4F F4FM Ohio/online. Looking for couple who are willing to exchange nudes and vids.

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Know Where to Go for the Sexiest Casual Encounters

No need to hit some bars or clubs if you’re just looking to hookup. And instead of scrolling through your contacts to find somebody who may be DTF, you can simply visit an adult personals platform, like DoubleList, for your next casual encounter!

What makes DoubleList personals the best choice for casual encounters? Let us count the ways.

  1. Signing up is free, easy, and secure.

  2. You can remain anonymous.

  3. You’ll find matches based on your location and interests.

  4. You can choose more than one sexual preference. Whether you’re in the mood for f4m, m4m, f4f, m4m, f/m4c, c4f/m, c4c, threesomes, etc., you’ll find exactly what you’re looking for on DoubleList.

  5. There are no algorithms deciding for you. You have full control over your searches and potential matches.

DoubleList is available in more than 248 locations in the United States, so you have great odds of connecting with someone in your area whose needs and desires match yours. Set up your next hookup soon! Sign up for a free account now!

Unlock your wildest fantasies and connect with locals today!

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