As the world of dating continues to evolve, so do the trends and practices that shape it. For the boomer generation, who grew up in an era of more traditional courtship, some of the modern dating trends may come as a surprise. In this exploration, we delve into 18 dating trends that have emerged in recent years, explaining what they are and why they might be a departure from the dating norms boomers are familiar with. These trends offer a glimpse into the ever-changing landscape of love, relationships, and connections in today’s world.
Ghosting
Ghosting involves abruptly cutting off all communication with a potential romantic interest without explanation. Boomers may find this trend shocking because it lacks the courtesy and respect that were traditionally associated with dating.
Online Dating Apps
The proliferation of dating apps like Tinder and Bumble, which enable people to connect and date through their smartphones, can be surprising to boomers, who grew up with more traditional methods of meeting potential partners.
Hookup Culture
The prevalence of casual sexual encounters without commitment may shock boomers, as they often come from an era when dating typically led to more serious and long-term relationships.
Virtual Dates
Video calls and virtual dates have become a norm, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic. Boomers might be surprised by this shift, as they are more accustomed to in-person dating.
Non-Exclusive Relationships
Some individuals now engage in non-exclusive relationships, where dating multiple people simultaneously is accepted. Boomers may find this trend shocking due to the contrast with their more monogamous dating expectations.
Benching
Benching is when someone keeps a potential partner on hold while they explore other dating options. Boomers might be taken aback by this practice, as it involves a lack of commitment and emotional investment.
DTR (Define the Relationship)
Younger generations often engage in conversations to explicitly define their relationship status. Boomers might be surprised by this trend, as it was more common for them to assume exclusivity after a certain point.
Cancel Culture
The practice of canceling or cutting ties with someone for past problematic behavior may be shocking to boomers, who are less accustomed to ending relationships over public opinion or social media issues.
Situationships
Situationships are ambiguous, non-committal relationships where neither party defines the nature of their connection. Boomers may find this lack of clarity and commitment perplexing.
Dating Slang
The abundance of dating-related slang terms, such as “breadcrumbing,” “cuffing season,” or “thirst trap,” may be puzzling to boomers, who did not grow up with such a lexicon.
Long-Distance Dating
With advances in technology, long-distance relationships have become more common. Boomers might be surprised by the willingness of younger generations to invest in relationships with people far away.
Digital Flirting
Flirting through emojis, gifs, and memes can be confusing to boomers, who often relied on face-to-face interactions and traditional forms of communication for courtship.
Relationship Anarchy
Relationship anarchy challenges traditional relationship hierarchies, encouraging autonomy and non-traditional structures. This concept may shock boomers, who were raised with more conventional expectations.
Slow Dating
Some individuals now embrace a “slow dating” approach, which involves taking the time to get to know a potential partner before becoming more committed. Boomers may find this trend surprising, as they often rushed into more serious relationships.
Polyamory
The practice of consensually engaging in multiple simultaneous romantic or sexual relationships may be shocking to boomers, who are more accustomed to monogamous partnerships.
Netflix and Chill
The phrase “Netflix and chill” has evolved into a euphemism for a casual sexual encounter. Boomers may be taken aback by this coded language used for arranging intimate meetings.
Cohabitation Without Marriage
Living together without getting married is more common today, which may surprise boomers who traditionally associated cohabitation with marriage plans.
Dating Safely
With the rise of online dating, dating safely, including sharing location or using safety apps, has become essential. Boomers might be surprised by the need for such precautions, as they often did not encounter these safety concerns during their dating years.
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