The rules of dating continue to evolve with each passing generation. Gone are the days of traditional courting and the construct of “men take the lead.” Since the 70s and more so in the later few decades of the 20th century, women also started shooting their shots. Internet dating took over the romance scene in the 90s, and dating apps became all the rage in the 2010s. What about today? What are the current Gen Z dating trends? Modern dating rules can be confusing. Here’s everything the older generations should know about Gen Z dating culture:
1. Ghosting is Everywhere
In the past, you had to either fake your demise or completely disappear to avoid someone you were in a relationship with. Today, dating expectations are so different that ghosting is considered normal. It is pretty easy for Gen Z and even millennials to stop talking to someone out of the blue. Ghosting is so common in today’s dating culture that people are surprised when the person they’re talking to gives them a reason or explanation before they become silent.
2. Everyone has a Situationship
It’s a relationship, but not. That’s how you describe a situationship. Most Gen Z relationships can be called this. Gen Z love life is complicated because one or both parties want to “hook up” but don’t believe in being tied down or committed to one person. Instead, they create this situation where they talk non-stop, see each other on a daily basis, and are updated with each other’s lives, but don’t identify as a couple. When it comes to modern dating rules, the younger generations prefer to avoid putting labels on their relationship. This gives them a degree of deniability and allows for a quick exit, if needed or if someone better comes along.
3. Different Communication Styles
Another one of the more popular Gen Z dating trends observed today is how they prefer to communicate. Many don’t make phone calls, but instead, they choose to converse using texting apps. Gen Z can write an entire novel in a text but find it difficult to keep up a conversation with someone they are dating.
On the other hand, many also rely on video calls to stay connected. It is fairly common to see Gen Z relationships playing out entirely online. Both parties stay on the video call for hours on end, even when they are not speaking to each other. This way of connecting may have been influenced by the pandemic where the majority of our social interactions were limited to the online world.
4. Ditching the Dating Apps
One of the more surprising Gen Z dating trends is their reluctance to use dating apps or dating sites. Dating app trends indicate that the majority of users are millennials. The younger generations have a different way of finding potential partners or situationships. Online dating Gen Z trends show that more prefer to use social media as their dating app.
The Gen Z love life typically starts with sending a DM to a profile of someone they find attractive. That’s how closely social media and dating are tied to each other for Gen Zs.
5. Who Pays for the Date?
Many people ask who pays for the date, and everyone answers differently. Millennials and some Gen X women were more likely to go Dutch when dating with about 35% saying it is only fair to split the bill. However, with Gen Z dating expectations, 90% of the men paid, and only 8% would split the bill evenly. This trend shows that Gen Zs are more likely to follow the tradition of men paying for the dates compared to millennials who are more likely to split the bill. Surprisingly, the younger generations are following tradition instead of breaking it.
6. Netflix and Chill is the Standard
Another way that social media and dating have changed how Gen Z relationships work is the concept of Netflix and Chill. It is rare to find young couples going out on a date to get to know each other. Many would rather stay at home, watch Netflix, and go from there. Gen Zs would also consider getting drive-thru and eating inside their cars as a date, which will not fly with the older generations.
Of course, some still prefer to be wined and dined by their partners. But they will most likely spend the night partying with friends, nothing quiet and private.
7. What’s a Delusionship?
Aside from the more popular term situationship, the future of dating has now brought to life delusionships. It’s not just a term meant to stir up clout online. It’s a common Gen Z dating culture happenstance. A delusionship occurs when one or both parties don’t talk about their dating expectations. One half of the “couple” has long-term goals or believes they are exclusive, but the other half is in it for the fun and is looking for other situationships.
This is one of the more complicated and messy Gen Z dating trends that is better off forgotten, and soon.
8. Chameleons at Every Turn
Another one of the Gen Z dating trends that aren’t healthy is something called “chameleoning”. This happens when one side of the couple changes their personality, pretends to be interested in the same hobbies, or even changes their morals and beliefs to please their partner. The chameleon loses so much of their personality in the relationship that they feel lost when it ends.
It’s not wrong to change your mind when a partner makes valid points, but losing your authentic self in a relationship is dangerous.
Relationship Advice for Gen Z
No one, not even those older than you, can tell you which Gen Z dating trends are good or bad. Modern dating rules are hard to follow, but the best advice you can get/give is to take it slow. You are young, and dating expectations will continue to change. Dating culture is very different for Gen Z as it is different for the generations before and after. Take a moment and consider what it is you want out of dating and work on your communication skills. When you learn to say what you want and expect, dating will hopefully become easier.