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'Breadcrumbing' is the grim new dating tactic that'll make you want to join a convent

Oh, what now?!

DATING IS DIFFICULT enough as it is without playing games, but new ones keep popping up every day.

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The latest terribly bleak dating tactic to be identified is called ‘breadcrumbing’ -ghosting’s annoying little sister.

What is ‘breadcrumbing’?

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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.

‘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?

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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?

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