Every generation puts its own spin on dating, but Gen Z is truly rewriting the rulebook.
Because of social media, changing attitudes towards relationships, and a refusal to settle for outdated norms, their approach to love and romance can sometimes leave older generations (even millennials!) baffled. From bizarre new terms to digital-first connections, these are just some of the Gen Z dating trends that are making everyone else wonder what on earth is going on.
1. ‘Soft launching’ a relationship
Gone are the days of announcing a new partner with a full-on couple’s photoshoot. Gen Z prefers the soft launch — a subtle, barely-there hint that they’re seeing someone. This might be a cropped hand in a restaurant shot, a vague caption, or a mysterious second plate of food in an Instagram story.
It’s a way of introducing a new relationship without fully committing to announcing it, allowing for an easy exit if things don’t work out. To everyone else, though, it just looks like a confusing guessing game.
2. Situationships over labels
For Gen Z, defining the relationship (DTR) isn’t always a priority. Many prefer situationships — relationships that exist in a grey area between casual and serious, without the pressure of labels.
While older generations may find this frustratingly vague, Gen Z sees it as a way to avoid unnecessary pressure and let things evolve naturally. The only problem? It sometimes leads to confusion about where things actually stand.
3. Dry texting as a dealbreaker
If you’re sending one-word responses like ‘k’ or ‘lol,’ you might as well pack your bags because Gen Z has no time for dry texters. Good texting chemistry is seen as just as important as in-person connection, and if your texts are boring or lack personality, you might not even make it to a first date.
For some, this emphasis on digital conversation over real-life chemistry feels excessive, but for Gen Z, engaging banter over text is a must-have.
4. Delusionships — relationships that only exist in their heads
Unlike traditional crushes, a delusionship is when someone is fully convinced they have a romantic connection with someone… even when no real evidence supports it. They overanalyse every conversation and interaction, imagining a deeper bond that might not actually exist.
Social media fuels this trend, making it easier to create a whole narrative around someone based on a few likes and comments. It’s funny until reality hits — and then it’s just embarrassing.
5. Ghosting isn’t the worst — there’s ‘beige flagging’ now
We all know about ghosting, but Gen Z has taken things further with beige flags. These aren’t full-on red flags, but personality traits or habits that are just… boring. Things like “My hobby is going to the gym” or “I love dogs” are considered beige flags because they don’t add anything exciting to a conversation.
While older generations might roll their eyes at this level of pickiness, Gen Z sees it as a way to filter out dull matches before investing time in them.
6. Rizz is the new dating superpower
Source: Unsplash If you haven’t heard of rizz, you’re probably not Gen Z. Short for charisma, rizz is all about having the kind of charm that makes you effortlessly attractive. Whether it’s smooth talking, clever jokes, or just having a cool vibe, having “W rizz” (winning charisma) is seen as essential in modern dating.
If you lack rizz? You’ve got “L rizz” — and that’s not a good thing.
7. TikTok as a dating app
Forget Tinder and Hinge — Gen Z is meeting people through TikTok. Instead of swiping through profiles, they’re using the app to show off their personality, slide into comment sections, and even post videos saying, “If you see this, it means we’re meant to be.”
It might sound bizarre to older generations, but in a world where video content rules, TikTok dating makes more sense than you’d think.
8. ‘Cuffing season’ is still a thing
Source: Unsplash While not exclusive to Gen Z, cuffing season (the winter months when people look for a temporary relationship to get through the colder season) is still going strong. The twist is that many now enter cuffing season fully aware that the relationship will end when summer comes.
It’s basically a dating contract with an expiry date, which, to some, seems practical, but to other people, seems like a waste of time.
9. Long-distance relationships are no big deal
Thanks to FaceTime, voice notes, and constant texting, long-distance relationships don’t feel as intimidating for Gen Z. Unlike older generations, who might see physical proximity as a dealbreaker, Gen Z is comfortable building relationships almost entirely online.
For some, this feels strange. After all, how can you truly know someone without spending time with them in real life? But for Gen Z, digital-first connections are just part of modern dating.
10. ‘Hard launching’ a breakup
Not only do Gen Z soft launch their relationships, but they also hard launch their breakups, posting bold, sometimes dramatic announcements to let the world know they’re single again.
Whether it’s a sad TikTok, a playlist called “goodbye forever,” or a cryptic Instagram caption, these public declarations can be both entertaining and a little over the top.
11. Green flags matter more than red flags
While previous generations might focus on avoiding red flags, Gen Z is all about green flags — things that indicate someone is emotionally mature and relationship-ready. Good communication, kindness, and respect are just as important as avoiding bad traits.
While this shift makes sense, the detailed green flag checklists circulating online sometimes make dating feel like a job interview.
12. Group FaceTime before the first date
Blind dates are a thing of the past; Gen Z will FaceTime before ever agreeing to meet in person. In some cases, they even invite their friends to join the call to “vibe check” a potential date.
Older generations might find this excessive, but Gen Z sees it as an easy way to avoid awkward first dates with people they aren’t truly interested in.
13. Therapy talk is everywhere
Gen Z is much more open about mental health, which means dating now comes with conversations about attachment styles, love languages, and emotional intelligence. Phrases like “That sounds like an anxious attachment issue” or “I need to set a boundary” are now completely normal in relationships.
For some, this level of self-awareness is refreshing. For others, it makes dating feel like a therapy session rather than a natural connection.
14. Liking someone’s old post is the new flirting
Flirting isn’t just about compliments anymore; it’s about digital signals. Liking an old Instagram post, replying to a story with an emoji, or casually commenting on a TikTok is Gen Z’s way of saying, “I’m interested.”
For those unfamiliar with these unspoken rules, it just looks like confusing online behaviour. But for Gen Z, it’s a modern-day love language.
