Contemporary dating has taken a wonderfully offbeat turn, with the younger generations now accepting what would have stumped their grandparents. This piece examines the transition, shining light on 10 strange new age dating trends that change with shifting priorities, emotional security to spontaneity, and even backup strategies.
Shrekking
"Shrekking" observes people consciously opting for less conventionally beautiful partners for the sake of long-term fulfillment, a lighthearted reference to the children's movie "Shrek" and its unconventional love affair.
Banksying
There's also "Banksying", named after the mysterious street artist Banksy: one of the partners keeps his or her distance only to release a sudden breakup message later, a strategic exit plan.
Yap-trapping
"Yap-trapping," meanwhile, is a Gen Z communication warning sign when one individual talk so completely that their companion hardly manages to get a sentence out.
Nanoship
Conversely, "Nanoship" refers to loose, commitment-free relationships based on low standards and relaxed companionship.
Cushioning
Equally practical is "Cushioning," when an individual has a backup partner on the sidelines in the event that their main relationship goes wrong.
Future-proofing
For the more forward-looking, "Future-proofing" captures attempts to look for emotionally stable, financially secure, like-minded partners. Then there is "micro-mance," which focuses on tiny, significant romantic gestures like sharing memes, going for a walk, and sending a sweet message.
The other trends are "on the same page", in which one of the couples and their partner share interests, "loud crushing," to publicly proclaim your crush or boyfriend/girlfriend on social media, and "freak matching", the excitement of meeting someone who shares your most specific passions.
All together, these trends expose how dating in modern times is a mix of wit, practicality, and emotional know-how, a fascinating shift away from old romance fiction.
