Have you heard of 'fishing' as the latest trendy flirting tactic on dating apps? It's been outdone by something far more frustrating: benching.
Dating apps like Tinder have spawned countless questionable flirting strategies. Benching is a rising trend you might unknowingly fall victim to.
Understanding Benching
Popularized by New York Times reporter Jason Chen, who experienced it himself, benching means being relegated to the 'bench of substitutes' like in sports. It involves stringing someone along as a backup while seeking a better option.
Picture this: You connect with someone who's vaguely interested but distant. Worse yet, after a date, they bail on plans with a sudden 'emergency,' vanish, then pop back with a casual 'Hello, how are you?' when their other prospects fizzle. You're just the spare tire.
Chen detailed classic signs in the New York Times: "Text messages happen from time to time and always follow the same pattern: a link to an article, a funny GIF or a simple 'Hey, how are you?' (…) He was suggesting dates, but coincidentally, it never worked. Whenever he felt I was ready to move on, he strangely found a way to resurface: a tag on an Instagram photo, an invitation, a text flirt."
Bottom line: Steer clear of anyone who benches you.
