Boomeranging, FOMO-dating, and Cancel Culture: Survey sheds like on new dating terms among Gen Z and Millennials

Semi-Dating is a phase where you have dipped your toes into the enticing waters of connection but are not prepared to take the plunge just yet. Image for representational purpose only. Photo Courtesy: istock

The modern dating world is constantly evolving, giving birth to an array of new trends. In its recent survey, the desi dating app, QuackQuack has ventured into uncharted territories, trying to shine some light on tomorrow's romance. The dating app gathered data from a diverse range of participants between 18 to 38. They came from different backgrounds- some were students and self-employed, and the majority of these participants were working professionals. A total of 13,000 people from both Tier-1 and Tier-2 cities took part in the survey.

QuackQuack's founder and CEO, Ravi Mittal, said, "As we closely observe our 26 million users and their dating habits, we see an alarming number of new trends among young daters. From trends like the boomeranging, where exes rekindle the old flame to the newly emerging toxic fads like FOMO-Dating, the future of romance is an amalgamation of both positive and negative. We urge all daters to tread vigilantly, whether dating online or IRL."

Boomeranging
QuackQuack's survey clearly reveals that Boomeranging is gaining more and more popularity on dating apps. GenZ and Millennials have coined this term to capture the intriguing act of circling back to past lovers. 19 per cent of men and women between 22 and 28 revealed how they have reconnected with their exes on dating apps after years of breaking up. These exes, once distant memories, have been reignited like phoenixes rising from the ashes of heartbreak. 8 per cent of women and 11 per cent of men from tier-1 and tier-2 cities have Boomeranged back to their exes, and 6 per cent of these people are back together and happily committed again, while the other half recalls it as a lapse in judgment.

The rise of Semi-Dating
GenZ daters between 20 and 25 are hopping on a new trend, Semi-Dating. But this isn't a totally new game - 33 per cent of Millennials declared that Semi-Dating has been a part of romantic theater since the dawn of time. 26 per cent of daters explained it as the initial dating phase where you are chatting and flirting but still not ready to commit. It is that phase where you have dipped your toes into the enticing waters of connection but are not prepared to take the plunge just yet. But there's a toxic catch to this dating narrative- people who are semi-dating don't do so with just one romantic prospect, but with a bunch of people simultaneously.

The FOMO-Dating craze
QuackQuack's survey shows that FOMO-Dating, a modern dating phenomenon, has gained traction in the past few years. It's a trend that has kept singles on their toes, not for the thrills of finding true love but from the fear of being left behind. The survey result shows that hundreds of daters indulge in meaningless matching because they are scared everyone is sprinting forward except them. The survey result shows that fear of being stuck exactly where they were a year back has pushed 28 per cent of daters between 28 and 35 to match with people who are incompatible with them, leaving a trail of unsuccessful and pointless relationships.

Cancel-Culture
The survey shows that Cancel Culture has woven itself into the intricate tapestry of modern dating. 33 per cent of the survey participants between 28 and 32 expressed their displeasure with the escalating intolerance sweeping through Gen Z and Early Millennials; for instance, a mere misstep, like guessing your matches' age wrong or asking about their height or, god forbid, their weight, can get canceled for good. These daters explained that getting canceled in the dating world would mean no one in their social circle would want to date that person or even socialize with them. But daters between 20 and 26, from tier 1 cities specifically, have a different opinion. They consider this trend as the sword of accountability. They explained how cancel culture has its own positive impact making sure people think twice before crossing a line.