It’s more than complicated

Relationships today are more aptly described as 'situationships'. Is it a Gen Z thing only, with couples refusing to be defined by traditional norms, or are casual relationships becoming the norm?

- SHUBHANGI SHAH

AS THE TRADITIONAL relationship story goes, you meet someone, feel,  attracted, pursue the same, date, commit, and maybe live happily ever after. It involves commitment and exclusivity, so to say.

However, this no longer seems to be the norm, especially among the GenZs, who are redefining the dating scene on their own terms, and putting the spotlight on themselves and their needs. A testament to that is 'situationship'.

Dating app Tinder's Year in Swipe report 2022 revealed a rise of 49% people embracing a 'situationship' as the new relationship intention. A simple search on Google Trends indicates a rising interest in the term, starting last year.

But what does this situation in a relationship look like? The term first came into the limelight in 2019 when Alana Morrison, a participant on Love Island, a reality TV show, first used it define her relationship history. To put it simply, situationship is a romantic and physical relationship, but which is undefined, non-committal, and often non-exclusive. So it is more than a hookup but less than a relationship.

"If you think about it, Radha and Krishna was the og situationship," is how a Twitter user puts it.

So, 'it's complicated!' has got a new term, it seems.

'Undefined but liberating'

Guwahati resident Prasant Meera, 24, met her match on Tinder. The meeting resulted in a date, and a promise to meet again.