Not in America or Europe in recent history. But 100 or 150 years ago here, group meetings (e.g., church, one family visiting another) could certainly lead to an offer of marriage (and request for paternal permission). Private one-on-one meetings would have been highly discouraged except under controlled conditions.

Fair, my point isn't that dating does not occur but that dating is not agreed upon as lightly.

You basically have to build a very strong rapport and infatuation to the point that you are both sure you have something you both want to pursue.

Whereas the american/european dating scene is much more casual about the 'seriousness' of a date.

"Usually" is the keyword.