It’s not hard to think of examples when stating one’s dating goals too early would be a major turn-off to both. Telling a woman what you are ultimately looking for certainly should not be part of your first date or a second date.

The reality is that we can’t help but read more into things that what they merely say, and we tend to respond to the words we hear not only logically, but also emotionally.

Imagine you are on your first date with a woman, and out of the blue she says: “I am looking to settle down asap.” Even if you are looking for the same thing, hearing this so early on is likely to raise certain red flags in your mind. “Why is she talking about this so early? Is she desperate? Will she want me to marry her in a month?” Those thoughts naturally run into many men’s minds in such situations.

Similarly, the most sexually progressive woman who is up for some casual fun, is not going to say “I agree” if a guy expressly tells her early on in their interaction: “Hey, I am looking for a f-ck buddy. Are you in?” Certain things that are meant to happen are just not meant to be told - especially not as early as your first or second date.

So, regardless of what you are looking for in your interactions with women, avoid discussing or defining your goals or your relationship premature. Allow it to develop first into what it is meant to develop, and then - once the situation is "ripe"  - have an open and honest conversation about it.