Depth Perceptions

Why is it that in society when a guy and girl go somewhere with another guy and girl people automatically assume they went on a double date? Why do people assume that if a guy and girl went somewhere alone, they were on a date? Can't two people of the opposite gender have an excursion without there being any hidden meaning behind the fact that they mutually wanted to participate in the excursion?

And then, when said excursion is occurring, why do some people feel the need to point out to one, or both, participants that they are on a date? That fact that the word "date" was never used by the aforementioned participants should imply to others that they are NOT on a date. It doesn't help some people to feel comfortable and themselves in a social situation when you tell them that they are on a date.

Calling something a date has so many more implications and pressures than simply going somewhere as friends. Are men and women not allowed to be friends and enjoy one another's company without there being romantic implications? And why is this whole situation fascinating to other people who are not involved?

This is something I truly do not understand. It gets filed in the drawer with these other questions:

-How do people fall in love?

-Where did the astronauts put the screws when they were repairing the Hubble Telescope?

-Who decided that women should shave their legs?

-Where did the phrase "It sent me to water" originate?

-What is a hydro-cracker?

If you know the answers, please let me know because I cannot find them.