When canvassing romance feelers out in the wild habitat of the online dating world, hopefuls looking for love are bound to witness a few setbacks.
The digital revolution has given birth to a new wave of internet relationships and there is an abundance of dating apps of which you can take your pick.
And since online dating exploded into the romantic stratosphere it has bred a myriad of confusing and often disheartening trends and terminologies.
Happn, an dating app which uses location to match users, has compiled a list of terms which define even the most ‘undefined’ relationships, and according to dating expert Claire Certain, there are a staggering 12 different types of romances or ploys you may fall prey to.
The digital revolution has given birth to a new wave of internet relationships and there is an abundance of dating apps of which you can take your pick (Stock image)
Happn, an dating app which uses location to match users, has compiled a list of terms which define even the most ‘undefined’ relationships, and according to dating expert Claire Certain, there are a staggering 12 different types of romances or ploys you may fall prey to (Stock image)
GHOSTING
Ghosting is the paranormal-themed name given to the act of mysteriously disappearing on your significant other – whether it be through never returning phone calls or failing to meet up for scheduled dates.
Claire explains that most ‘ghosters’ lack the courage to bite the bullet and break up with a dating partner and it is a worryingly easy method of ending a relationship.
‘One moment you are flirting back and forth after a handful of dates, the next you are checking your phone incessantly, bewildered at why this person you had a connection with has so abruptly dropped off the face of the earth,’ Claire said.
However ghosting is not just limited to romantic partners – some people even use the method to back out of friendships.
‘Ghosting can happen at any point in a relationship, and even between friends. Usually ghosts are simply too afraid of confrontation to tell you they aren’t interested in taking things further.’
Ghosting is the paranormal-themed name given to the act of mysteriously disappearing on your significant other – whether it be through never returning phone calls or failing to meet up for scheduled dates (Stock image)
However ghosting is not just limited to romantic partners – some people even use the method to back out of friendships (Stock image)
HAUNTING
Much like it’s spooky counterpart, haunting is the dating phenomenon of slyly reappearing after ghosting someone.
Haunters don’t usually initiate direct contact but instead might trawl your social media feed with likes and ‘views’ on Snapchat or Instagram after going MIA for some time.
‘[They are] haunting you in cyberspace to remind you they still exist,’ Claire said.
CUFFING
As the leaves drop and the sunlight fades, some people may appear on dating apps in order to find themselves a partner for the winter.
Much like hibernation, ‘cuffers’ seek out a relationship to keep themselves warm and cosy during the cold.
These people are usually single or promiscuous but find themselves wanting to be ‘cuffed’ or ‘tied down’ with a romantic interest during the winter months.
BENCHING
Also referred to as ‘bread-crumbing’ on some spheres, benching is the act of keeping someone on the hook or the bench while continuing to play the field.
It is a way of holding onto a love interest as a future option without committing to real life meetings, instead only contacting via the phone or social media.
‘These people are essentially keeping you on the bench while they play out their other options. Beware a flame who keeps you in limbo this way,’ Claire added.
Also referred to as ‘bread-crumbing’ on some spheres, benching is the act of keeping someone on the hook or the bench while continuing to play the field (Stock image)
‘These people are essentially keeping you on the bench while they play out their other options. Beware a flame who keeps you in limbo this way,’ Claire added
TUNING
A similar move to benching is the vaguely frustrating method of ‘tuning’ someone.
‘Tuners’ are actually very romantically interested in the person they are leading on but are also very afraid of being up front about it.
‘These people want the relationship to progress, so are flirting via all kinds of means, but are vague and often frustrating,’ Claire said.
‘We all hope a bencher is really just a tuner, but be sure to tell the difference between under-confidence and indifference.’
‘Tuners’ are actually very romantically interested in the person they are leading on but are also very afraid of being up front about it
AND THE REST…
Other confusing romantic terms which have sprouted in the online dating era includes a ‘textlationship’ which a relationship developed solely over texts and the ‘slow fade’ which is a long, drawn-out version of ghosting.
Claire also describes DTR – define the relationship – as the stage before a couple is recognised as partners, the phase of simply ‘talking’ to someone, FBO which is Facebook Official, Netflix and chill partners who are always keen on sexual encounters, and ‘thirsty’ which means when someone is very needy for attention.