In the era of app-based romance, a plethora of new dating trends constantly emerge, ranging from profoundly antisocial tactics to defensive strategies. This article challenges readers to identify which of these bewildering behaviors are genuine and which are fabricated.
The modern dating landscape, heavily influenced by apps, is a hotbed for new romantic trends. Many of these, like 'ghosting' and 'catfishing,' are profoundly antisocial, while others serve as defensive maneuvers against toxic partners. Some are simply old, disgraceful behaviors rebranded with new names. The article presents a list of 20 such trends, prompting readers to discern their authenticity. Examples include 'Breadcrumbing,' where a prospect offers minimal attention to keep someone interested without personal investment; 'Ghostlighting,' an unholy combination of ghosting and gaslighting where someone disappears and then reappears months later as if nothing happened; 'Cuffing,' entering a relationship not out of love but to avoid being single for a specific period; 'Cookie-jarring,' keeping someone as a back-up dating option; and 'Pocketing,' trying to keep a new relationship a secret from friends and family. More outlandish examples include 'Process doppelganging,' a narcissistic strategy to sabotage a second date and blame an 'evil twin,' and 'Banksying,' the act of meticulously planning a breakup in secret until it appears without warning to the other person. The piece explores these fascinating and often frustrating facets of contemporary romance, inviting readers to reflect on their own experiences as victims or unwitting perpetrators.
