If you didn’t manage to secure a partner for cuffing season, then never fear – you still have two months until Valentine’s Day to find The (potential) One.
And it might be easier than ever to find the person of your dreams, thanks to a new dating trend which emphasises honesty and frankness from day one: ‘hardballing’.
Putting it simply, hardballing is being honest, open and up-front about what we want from a relationship from the very beginning.
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While some of us find ourselves sticking to old-fashioned dating rules in a bid not to appear too keen (like not messaging back on WhatsApp for hours), it’s now preferred to speak frankly from the get-go about what we’re looking for in a relationship.
“Hardballing is being upfront about what you want in a relationship, what you are looking for in a partner and your life plans,” Jessica Alderson, co-founder of the dating app So Syncd, explains to Tyla. “It could be telling your date from the get go that you are looking for a casual fling or that you want children within a certain timeframe.
“No games, just straight to the point. The aim is to work out from the very beginning if you and your date will be compatible in the long run and it can help both parties avoid spending time dating someone who isn't on the same wavelength in terms of their relationship aspirations.”
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Why are we now favouring a more up-front approach to dating? Well, much like everything, it likely stems back from the pandemic.
It was difficult to date during the pandemic, particularly throughout the first lockdown, where most contact was fundamentally outlawed.
While 90 per cent of OKCupid users tried digital dating throughout the pandemic, messaging for ages only to meet someone in real life and not have similar long-term goals can be frustrating.
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It seems we’re more keen to develop something fulfilling than casual, with 84 per cent of people on OkCupid think it’s important to have an emotional connection before a physical one.
“Dating isn't as black and white as it used to be and people's lives are more complex, especially with the pandemic,” Jess says. “A lot of people feel like they have got some catching up to do due to Covid and they don't want to waste time with someone who isn't right.”
And women are finding the honesty a refreshing change than having to navigate a minefield of dating games.
Sexpert Jana Hocking has praised the move. She told news.com.au: “I’m going to step outside of my comfort zone and give this dating trend a red hot crack, because it sure beats playing games and using other slightly toxic methods to snag a fella.
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"These woke Gen Z’s are really upping the ante when it comes to healthy dating, and I am very much here for it! Time to leave the ‘games’ in the ’90s where they belong."
Featured Image Credit: UnsplashTopics: Sex and Relationships