The dating landscape has experienced a seismic shift with the emergence of Generation Z. Raised in a world of instant communication and limitless options, Gen Z approaches dating in a way that sets them apart from previous generations. From a preference for casual encounters to a desire for meaningful connections, Gen Z’s approach to romance is marked by a blend of independence, fluidity, and a penchant for personal authenticity.
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New dating trends are becoming popular
With changes in dating landscapes, new dating trends keep emerging for us to understand different behaviours. These trends serve as windows into the changing dynamics of relationships, offering a glimpse into how people navigate the complexities of modern dating. By embracing virtual dating, individuals can connect across distances and explore compatibility before meeting in person, allowing for a deeper understanding of each other’s personalities and values. But other than that, new dating trend terms help us a lot to give a name to a potential date’s behaviour.
The dating app QuackQuack surveyed its Gen Z users to find out the latest scoop on the virtual dating world. 15,000 men and women between the ages of 18 and 26 participated in the survey. From tier 1 to tier 2 cities, the survey included people from different parts of the country to understand if Gen Zs are becoming part of new dating trends.
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Here are some trends that have been on the rise, according to the survey:
Delusionship
For anyone who does not know, delusionship is a term that combines the words “delusion” and “relationship” and is used to describe a situation in which one or both individuals involved have false or unrealistic beliefs about the nature of their relationship. It refers to a connection that is based on misconceptions, illusions, or self-deception rather than genuine emotional intimacy and mutual understanding. Basically, one or both parties may have an exaggerated or idealised view of the relationship, ignoring or dismissing any signs or realities that contradict their perception.
“39% of QuackQuack’s survey participants disclosed being in a delusionship at least once in their dating lifespan. It’s all in their heads, and 29% of these people who revealed their delusions are introverts. Extroverts are also a part of this trend, and they think it’s more common than most people care to admit. Users from both Tier 1 and Tier 2 cities alike have experienced this intense “obsession and daydreaming,” as they termed it. It builds slowly and steadily, but thankfully, it does not last long. If it does, that no longer comes under the delusionship category.”
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Evil Dead Rise
We are all aware of those exes who tend to hit us up after months or sometimes even years, promising to do better this time. They tend to slither into our lives, telling us how they have changed and are not going to make the same mistakes. There’s nothing new in that. But now there is a whole new term for this behaviour: – Evil Dead Rise. As per the survey, “37% of dating app users between 18 and 22 have admitted that they have been on the receiving end of the Evil Dead Rise, and the term fits the trauma that comes from rehashing the past. 7% of daters from tier 1 and 2 cities admitted being the Evil Dead Rise in someone’s life, and they justified that their intentions were not as evil as people are making it sound.”
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Chameleoning
This is a good one, and probably this happens a lot more involuntarily for a lot of people than as a rather deliberate act. The term chameleoning is used to describe a behaviour where an individual adapts their personality, interests, or values to match those of the person they are trying to impress or be in a relationship with (or, one can say, their match on a dating app). It refers to the act of changing oneself to blend in with or conform to the preferences or expectations of others, often at the expense of one’s own authenticity.
As per the survey, there are a lot of these behaviour changes too. “23% of women between 23 and 26 revealed that time and again, they have altered their persona to be more likeable, and they think almost everyone does it, some more subtle than others. 31% of men between 21 and 25 have done the same to impress their date. 36% of men and women opined that while chameleoning is common and almost everyone makes some minor alterations, any major change is not sustainable; sooner than later, people’s true colours start showing, and that can be more damaging.”
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Fake-Ups
Fake-ups or fake breakups occur when testing the loyalty or commitment of a partner, seeking attention or validation, or attempting to manipulate the dynamics of the relationship. But in this context, people fake breakups with their ex on a dating app to gain sympathy from their matches, get to talk to them more, and eventually date them. This is generally seen more with men, where they try to get the attention of females on the app.
As per the survey, ‘18% of male daters from metros and smaller cities disclosed using fake-up stories to talk to their crush. Compared to men, the number of females participating in this trend is much lower, and 23% of women above 21 believe that women’s compassion makes it easier for men to use fake-up to slide into their DMs.
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While behaviours like these have been used by daters for years, it is only now with these apt terms that one can actually understand what is happening. Isn’t it better to be informed than to always be confused about what’s happening in your love life?