THE DATING LINGOS AND THEIR LOVE RELATIONSHIPS.
In today’s times, there is social media and many platforms when one can interact to build healthy relationships . The various apps persuade youth to find romantic relationships online. The concept of online dating and finding love became easier with apps like Tinder, Bumble, and many more.
Dating digitally gained a new concept orally; in real time, one can communicate and share a lot of personal information to know each other better. Love in the old times was different; letters were the only medium at that time. They expressed and poured their feelings into the letter. However, due to real-time communication today, the smartphone has made this feeling easier.
Today’s relationships are based more on physical attraction rather than personality. Love is not love but is termed as ‘lust.’ Thus, it gave rise to different relationship patterns and specified them with slang. Modern dating seems like a minefield, as it has a lot of terms that are not easy to understand and involve much technical jargon. Words like pansexual, breadcrumbing, situation ship, ghosting, and many more are now common.
BREADCRUMBING: When you send flirty but non-committal messages to a person when you’re not interested in dating them but don’t have the guts to break things off completely, that is breadcrumbing.
SITUATIONSHIP: The term describes a romantic relationship that lacks commitment and the associated norms and expectations. It falls somewhere between friendship and a committed relationship.
BENCHING: In this relationship, you are into someone enough to commit to officially dating them, but you don’t want them to move on and find someone else, so you keep them waiting on the sidelines.
CUFFING: This refers to the time when early fall and late winter lead everyone to cohabit with someone to ward off loneliness and cold during the cooler months. It typically describes a short-term relationship implied to last until the season changes.
CUSHIONING: This is the process of staying in contact with one or more romantic prospects as backups with case things don’t go smoothly with your main squeeze. The “cushions” are usually kept on the periphery, like texting rather than full-blown cheating.
DTR: This term stands for “define the relationship”. It is when one is unable to determine the status of a relationship with someone.
GHOSTING: This relationship pattern involves disappearing from someone’s life because you are no longer interested in them.
LOVE BOMBING: In this scenario, the partner shows more affection in the initial stages of the relationship to woo you. However, when you develop feelings for them, they show their true colors and withdraw that affection, potentially trapping you in a nightmare relationship.
POOKIE: Recently, this term has gained attention on social media, meaning finding someone cute and endearing, similar to calling your significant other baby, honey, or darling. It is a new way to express love and affection.
BEIGE FLAG: While red flags and green flags are well-known, the beige flag has become popular on TikTok and social media. It indicates less serious traits that are neither good nor bad but suggest a dull personality that makes being in a relationship challenging.
Today’s relationships differ from traditional ones, where men were the ‘sole breadwinners’ and women were ‘nurturers’ supporting the family. Modern relationships emphasize personal growth and mutual goals. Marriage is no longer defined solely by having children but by seeking long-term companionship and support.
There is a lack of empathy and emotional depth in modern relationships, as many expect and fun without necessarily looking for love. When relationships become boring, people tend to move on, and these terms define the failure stages of love. True compatibility lies in understanding each other’s goals, values, and communication styles. When compatibility is lacking, it can lead to misunderstandings and disagreements, resulting in relationship breakdowns.
DATING APPS AND THEIR IMPACT:
Apps like Tinder, Bumble, TikTok, and Instagram have become hubs for trends, memes, and slang that quickly gain attention and spread across social media. These platforms play a significant role in shaping the attitudes and experiences of youngsters. With vast choices available, people become selective and less likely to commit to a relationship. Deeper compatibility is often replaced by superficial personality traits, undermining the emotional connection needed for long-term love. The convenience of these apps has made many less serious about forming meaningful relationships, favoring casual interactions instead.
Dating App Aisle CEO Able Joseph noted in an interview with Economic Times, “Relationships are also more fluid and flexible today, as the youth are not in a hurry to categorize them. They are open to mixing friendship and romance if need be.”
Surveys indicate that Gen-Z is seeking love like no other generation and is slower to commit. They prefer spending quality time getting to know each other rather than rushing into marriage and children.
ONLINE VS. OFFLINE PERSONALITIES:
Observing the behavior of someone online versus offline is challenging. How someone presents themselves online may not align with their real-life personality. For instance, introverts might struggle with social interactions in person but appear outgoing online. This discrepancy can lead to disappointment, as online personas often create unrealistic expectations. The gap between online and offline personas can trigger reassessment of a relationship’s potential. The attraction formed online often fades as individuals interact more deeply, and today’s youth frequently find it hard to meet in person due to their immersion in the virtual world.
AN EQUALITY DATE?:
While dating is essential for understanding one another, relationships today often prioritize equality. Another survey by Tinder, titled ‘Future of Dating’, shows that the current generation is neutral about spending and prefers affordable dates rather than extravagant displays.
A GENERATIONAL SHOWDOWN:
Everything evolves with time, including relationships. The older generation often expresses confusion and concern about the newer generation’s dating practices. They reminisce saying, “In my days, we didn’t have apps to find love. We just talked face-to-face and built connections.” For them, relationships were viewed as unions not just between partners but also between families, emphasizing moral and spiritual commitments.
While they may not be wrong in their views, time, environment, and lifestyle changes often lead to shifts in societal behavior. The new generation prioritizes personal growth and self-discovery before committing to love relationships. They see online dating as an efficient way to connect with people who align with their goals. Although older generations may criticize concepts like “ghosting,” “benching,” and “situationships,” Gen-Z views them as necessary components of navigating modern romance.
NEW LEXICON OF DATING LINGO:
The rise of social media and digital platforms has significantly transformed dating and relationships. The interplay of technology changes expectations and desires. Apps like Tinder, Bumble, and Aisle have not only shifted perspectives on relationships but have also birthed a new love language.
This new vocabulary underscores a broader cultural shift while encapsulating the challenges of contemporary dating. For instance, breadcrumbing emphasizes indecisiveness in modern relationships, where individuals flirt without committing. Situationship describes the ambiguous space between friendship and commitment, which is becoming increasingly common. To combat loneliness and emotional vulnerability, terms like “cuffing season” and “cushioning” reflect a modern approach to short-term relationships. Relationships have shifted from commitments to needs, moving away from traditional views.
Today’s youth date in a way that reflects how culture and technology have reshaped the formation of relationships. New dating terms help discuss these changes while highlighting the complexities of modern love. Navigating digital dating while forming real, meaningful connections remains a significant challenge for this generation.
As Gen Z continues to learn about love in the digital age, good communication, empathy, and emotional intelligence will be essential for managing the ever-evolving landscape of modern romance. Right?
