Dating is a social activity that allows two people to evaluate the suitability of each other for a romantic relationship. It can be conducted with or without others.
It is a practice that can vary from culture to culture, and across time periods and societies. Some people believe that dating should be considered as an essential part of a healthy romantic relationship, although others think that it is a waste of time and should be avoided entirely.
Ghosting
Ghosting is a term used to describe when someone suddenly stops responding to your messages or disappears from a relationship without any explanation. It’s a painful occurrence that can have lasting effects on your mental health and self-esteem.
Licensed psychologist Laura Louis, Ph.D., tells mbg that being ghosted can lead to feelings of anxiety, depression, and self-blame. In addition, the lingering uncertainty after a disappearance leaves you feeling helpless and powerless to change what has happened.
While it’s tempting to blame the person who ghosted you, focusing on their actions will only make you feel worse about yourself. Instead, reframe the situation and see it as a lesson learned.
White Clawing
White clawing is a common dating term that describes staying with someone who you find boring only because you find them attractive. According to dating therapist Jennifer Greene, it is often used by people who feel insecure in their relationships or are recovering from a breakup.
In July of 2019, comedian Trevor Wallace released a viral impression video that lampooned a typical White Claw drinker. He also designed and sold t-shirts with the phrase, “Ain’t No Laws When You’re Drinking Claws.”
Caspering
Caspering is a new dating term that’s kind of like ghosting but is more friendly. It’s a play on words from the friendly ghost character Casper in the NBC television show.
This term is used when people are not willing to ghost but don’t want to lead the person on. They’ll send you hints and messages for days or weeks before finally saying that they aren’t interested in being in a relationship with you anymore.
This can be extremely confusing for the other person, especially if you’ve been trying to talk to them for a while. They’ll wonder why you never reply to their texts or why they haven’t met up with you in a while.
Groundhogging
In the dating world, groundhogging is a term that refers to someone who dates the same type of people over and over again and ends up feeling underwhelmed. They then go back on the apps, swiping for someone who fits their ideal type again, only to end up getting the same results.
This is a dangerous tendency, as it can lead to overstressed relationships that don’t work out. It’s also a quick route to heartbreak, according to relationship coach Megan Weks.
Peacocking
Peacocking is a behavior observed in males in any species, used for the purpose of finding and impressing a potential partner. Usually, this happens when a man dresses up and puts on a show to make him appear more appealing.
This is often done to get a woman’s attention and gain her trust. It’s a way to show her how special and unique you are, and is usually something that happens early in the relationship.
Robbing
Robing is an act of stealing in a literal sense. The most common robbery involves the theft of a small child from its parents, but in the context of dating, it can mean anything from a young man snatching a woman’s necklace to an older woman snatching a younger man’s suit.
Robbing happens throughout daylight hours, most commonly during periods of nectar dearth. During these times, bees become more attracted to weaker hives and less attracted to strong hives. It is also more difficult for guard bees to protect the prized resources of honey and pollen. The most important thing is to recognize robbing as it occurs in order to avoid its pitfalls.
