The Birth of ‘Micro-Mance’: How Gen Z are tapping into consistency when it comes to small gestures.
By Sanchia Saunders
A Black Croc Skin Hermes Birkin, with a side of 20,000 red roses, a cheeky hotel stay with a final serving of a 2 week baecation to the Maldives, is what Gen - Z singles are asking for from their love interests these days in a belt to showcase their love.
Crazy right?
Well yes of course it is - as if you look at relatively normal people like you and me who have some level of decorum this may sound excessive - especially when it comes to the dating/talking stage.
As let’s be real most of the singles that we date who are in their twenties fighting to climb the corporate ladder, barely have the money for matching socks lets alone a Birkin.
However for some singles this is expected just to make it to the exclusive stage.
(Ps. If you are struggling with the Gen Z terminology used thus far please head to our Gen Z Dictionary attached here to get yourself better acquainted)
But yes right now the dating scene is in a bit of a shambles - however since discovering the term, Micro Mance it looks like things may finally be on the up!
What does Micro-Mance even mean?
According to good old Google,
reports have found that
the definition of Micro-Mance is: “A term coined to describe short-term, low-pressure romantic connections that prioritise meaningful, yet brief, emotional exchanges.
Unlike traditional dating, which often emphasises long-term commitment, ‘micro-mance’ thrives on living in the moment.
These micro-relationships can range from fleeting romantic encounters to short-term “situationships” that are enjoyable, intimate, and mutually understood as temporary.”
If I am going to be transparent with you - as a Gen Z single girlie myself I had never heard of this term - however the more that I have read up on it it has really opened my eyes.
Why Micro Mance is the term singles wanted but didn’t realise they needed
So as I alluded to earlier on in the post - these days the single girlies and the single guys have high expectations when it comes to receiving gifts/ grand gestures during the talking/dating stage.
As if they’re not getting that Birkin then they are definitely getting
the ick!
However with Micro Mance homing in on low pressure romantic connections - with a stronger focus on emotional exchanges - it almost takes some of the pressures away.
As now there is a lower chance of you getting scolded for buying your date
that £5 chocolate from Tesco - reinforcing the growing fondness of emotional connection.
This is because with Hinge discovering a whopping
93 percent of daters want to date someone who shows emotional vulnerability, and 61 percent of people surveyed ranking it as a higher priority than attractiveness, income, or height - it highlights how some singles mindsets are beginning to shift.
As it’s not all about the materialistic things we see on the
[Insta]Gram - but more about deeper meaningful connection.
However, has the damage already been done?
Despite the birth of Micro Mance encouraging singles to search for meaningful connection as opposed to a quick fling - what if the pressure of living up to unattainable standards has already gotten too much.
I say this because
statistics have found that, nearly 4 out of 5 millennials and Gen Zers surveyed say dating stresses them out, and nearly half (43%) said they don’t date
at all
due to their anxiety.
Suggesting that the oversaturated dating market has become too much for some singles that they’d rather not date at all.
But what do you think, have you seen a shift in dating styles lately?
Are you finding yourself yearning for meaningful connection instead of a materialistic charged one or are you impartial?
Head to our
instagram to share your thoughts.
Credits:
- Unlock GenZ’s Dating Dictionary: https://www.evntfuldating.com/the-genz-dating-dictionary
- Millionaire Match Dating: https://millionairematchdating.medium.com/why-micro-mance-is-gen-z-s-hot-dating-trend-for-2024-081566f5eaa9
- The ICK: https://www.evntfuldating.com/the-ick
- Cosmopolitan: https://www.cosmopolitan.com/sex-love/a42006606/emotional-vulnerability-high-priority-for-singles/
- Dating Advice:
https://www.datingadvice.com/studies/dating-anxiety-statistics/amp
