Dating expert Lisa Concepcion told Cosmopolitan that a third date is when you assess whether or not you're going to continue seeing the other person or not. "If there's no chemistry by the third date, most people shift into just being friends," she added. 

Speaking of chemistry, there's no need to conform to the well-known third date rule and sleep with the person unless that's something both of you want (via eHarmony). Concepcion shared with Cosmopolitan that when it comes to intimacy, discussing what you want and don't want at this stage can be done on a third date. 

New-York based relationship therapist Chloe Carmichael wrote in Women's Health that you should avoid placing too much importance on the third date. However, she does think that the third date is when you discuss some important things like your dating expectations and life values. Understanding if they're looking for something serious or casual and talking to them about things like career goals, lifestyle habits, faith, and family can all be part of this crucial juncture. So can topics like punctuality and personality types, two things that could be the cause of strife if you were to do life with this person. "There's no point in wasting time with someone who you don't enjoy being around, at least on some level," noted Carmichael.