It feels like there are too many dating trends to keep up with nowadays, and with the dating pool as unforgiving as ever, it's worth knowing about any tricks or methods you might face from any potential partners.
You may have heard of the likes of 'Shrekking' online, which brutally suggests that you drop your standards for someone in the hope that it all works out again, much like the plot of the first Shrek film.
Once again, it is a cruel world out there.
This one is also relatively new and has a sense of brutality in a different sense - 'throning' is the new dating trend doing the rounds, and it's one that has grown in popularity in recent years, with no signs of slowing down.
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If you're doing it, it's likely to end in tears.
Relationship expert Kalpana Singh told Vice it's one way to ensure you and your partner 'lack the foundation of shared interests, affection, and intimacy'.
It's also becoming more common, with Google searches for the dating trend rising 40 percent worldwide within the last month.
What is the 'throning' dating trend?
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Throning can be defined as 'dating someone who boosts your reputation (and, probably, ego) just by association', according to PureWow.
Some of our Gen Z readers may categorise this under the once popular term 'clout-chasing', a concept which some thought was left in the 2010s when it has instead changed its name and evolved to fit into the 2020s, while older readers will identify it as 'gold-digging'.
According to a 2018 study in the journal Science Advances, people on dating apps will look for a mate about '25 percent more desirable than themselves'.
So throning isn't new by any means, but it's a new term that helps people identify those who aren't after a real connection and in the age of social media, it's no surprise that people are vying for a higher status for others to see.
Amy Chan, a dating coach and author, spoke to USA Today about the trend, explaining: "The rise of throning also reflects a growing focus on self-image and external validation. Social media has amplified this, training us to care more about how our relationships look than how they actually feel."
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While some want love and status, others will want one or the other.
People who are 'throning' will want the latter, as Chan said they will use their partner 'as a status symbol', choosing to date someone to 'elevate' their image.
Chan added that what separates throning from older trends about dating up is the element of social media, adding that 'people have always sought partners who could elevate their lifestyle or status', with people caring more about how they look to others online.
"Social media has turned love into a public performance, where your partner can enhance not just your life but your personal brand," she admitted.
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If you're worrying about your own relationship, the dating coach advises that you speak to your partner about it, as 'playing games' will do no good in helping your anxiety, says Chan.
"Ask questions, share how you feel and pay attention to how they respond, emotional safety can’t exist without honesty," she added.
If you're guilty of being a throner, the dating expert said to look in the mirror and ask what you value in a relationship, as your behaviour often 'reflects the kind of person and partner you want to be', and if you don't like it, it's worth making a change.
Topics: Dating trends, Social Media, Gen Z
Joshua Nair