THE NEW LOVE LANGUAGE

Can you tell your NPCs from your simps? Do keep up…

RIZZ Someone who is charismatic (short for charisma).

SITUATIONSHIP More than friends, less than committed partners, status of relationship: unclear. Don’t expect this to be long-term.

BEIGE FLAG These aren’t off-putting or deal-breakers but odd habits or traits. Get over them.

BREADCRUMBING / BENCHING

Giving someone just enough attention to trick them into keeping their hopes up without actually committing.

SIMP Someone desperate for the attention or affection of someone without wanting anything in return. Reader, marry them.

THE STREETS The jungle/cesspit of dating for single people, eg: ‘It didn’t work out so I’m back to the streets.’

ENM Ethical non-monogamy. The practice of being romantically involved with multiple people who are all aware and agree.

ORBITING When someone ends a relationship or stops texting you, but continues to interact with your social-media posts. Block them.

WOKE-FISHING Like catfishing, this is when a person pretends to be more progressive regarding political and social views to impress someone.

ZOMBIEING When someone suddenly wakes from the dead to reappear in your life – like a zombie.

DTR Define the relationship – both parties have expressed feelings and decide what they want it to be.

SOFT-LAUNCHING When you share photos on social media that show you are dating someone, but do not reveal their full identity – just enough to get everyone guessing.

NATO-DATING ‘Not attached to the outcome’ is a Gen-Z dating style – the journey is more important than the goal.

NPC Non-player character – someone who is perceived to lack personality. Get to know them better.

POCKETING Keeping the relationship a secret from friends and family.

GROUNDHOGGING When someone repeatedly chooses the same type of partner but expects different results.