One more reason to hate networking: figuring out whether it's only networking that's going on.
This pitfall -- networking or a date? -- is one that plagues the young, urban and ambitious. Busy days mean meeting for drinks or dinner, along with mutual confusion about the ambiance of that wine bar or whether that check is something you should expense. Adding even more intrigue is that most Americans meet their spouses through work.
As the white wine flows and canapes are passed, all the elements of networking -- good, strong eye contact and attempts to find common ground -- can start to feel like something else: Is he hitting on you or giving you career advice? Is she interested in your marketing experience or your romantic experiences? Does the night end with a shared phone number or a LinkedIn connection request?