New Dating Trend: Single People Are “Embracing Their Cringe,” and Not Trying to Be Cool

Do you totally NERD OUT on UNBOXING VIDEOS?  If so, sharing that embarrassing fact might be the key to scoring a hot date online.

A survey from the app Plenty of Fish says that the biggest trend in dating is:  “Embracing your cringe.”  At least, for Gen Z and Millennials.

Here’s the deal:  47% of singles 45 and younger admit that they’re more cringe than cool . . . and they’re not trying to hide it.

74% of young singles say they’re more likely to message someone on a dating app who appears to be as cringey as they are.  And about 67% say it’s “attractive” when dates share the things they “nerd out on.”

The definition of “cringe” is subjective, but the idea is that they’re authentic, and aren’t afraid of sharing what they’re passionate about, even if it isn’t cool.  Like, a niche sport . . . a quirky hobby . . . a unique “fandom” . . . or just being “basic.”

Not every “cringe” behavior is good though.

Some of the things that are cringe in a BAD way are:  Going on and on about “the good old days” . . . talking about accomplishments or achievements from a long time ago . . . and fooling around on your phone too much.

(PR Newswire)

(I combed through TikTok to find what people “nerd out on” that could potentially be good date-talk, beyond obvious stuff like music and food.  And some examples are . . .)

(True crime . . . geography and flags . . . comics . . . board games . . . bad movies . . . e-sports . . . woodworking . . . shoes . . . skin care . . . space . . . cars . . . plants . . . tea . . . reptiles . . . crystals . . . “fountain pens” . . .)

(Myths . . . folktales . . . ghosts . . . aliens . . . Bigfoot . . . and one person said, “I love talking about lore . . . any kind of lore . . . just all lore.”)  (???)