DATING IS DIFFICULT enough as it is without playing games, but new ones keep popping up every day.
The latest terribly bleak dating tactic to be identified is called ‘breadcrumbing’ -ghosting’s annoying little sister.
What is ‘breadcrumbing’?
The term has existed for a while, but was brought to light earlier this year by New York Times writer Jessica Bennett. It has its roots, as you can guess, in the fairytale Hansel and Gretel.
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‘Breadcrumbing’ is the act of sending out flirtatious messages, giving just enough attention to keep hopes for a potential relationship alive without ever committing to a date. Cold.
That sounds kinda rude. Can you be more specific?
Sure. A ‘breadcrumb’ can be anything from sharing a link on your Facebook page, to liking your Instagram selfies, to texting you something like “Hey” after a few weeks of no contact. Seems like nothing, but the breadcrumbers know exactly what they’re doing.
As it says in the New York Times article:
It really is a cousin of the ‘friend zone’. It’s about relegating a person to a particular dead end, but one that still keeps them hanging on in some way.
How do I identify a breadcrumber?
They’ll contact you, but they’ll do the bare minimum – Bennett has supplied a list of breadcrumbing buzzwords to watch out for, including ‘sup’, ‘hey stranger’ and the dreaded conversation-ender, ‘ha’. The only way to end this ridiculousness? Stop picking up the damn crumbs.
That’s it, we’re off to the nunnery. Anyone care to come with?
