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Save us from ‘Shrekking’ - we have plenty of dating horrors already
The Observer
|November 02, 2025
In an ideal world, the young find their own way - but sometimes you have to intervene.
There appears to be a new gen Z trend for - steel yourself - "Shrek dating", or "dating down". It seems some among the younger generation have decided to stop demanding "visual perfection" in romantic partners. They have opted instead to date people who are less conventionally attractive in the hope that they'll be more in control of the relationship and less likely to be left or hurt.
There is also something called being Shrekked, which is dating down only to be rejected or treated poorly by the very person they consider less attractive. What's the word? Oh, yes: karma. Isn't Shrekking a bit lookist and rude?
Maybe that's harsh. A study from the Tinder dating site has users placing attributes such as loyalty and respect ahead of appearance. Considering this, maybe the humane diagnosis for those considering Shrekking is dating fatigue and anxiety.
This story is from the November 02, 2025 edition of The Observer.
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