Dating knowledgeable points warning on ‘sledging’ pattern as it is a main ‘crimson flag’

A dating expert issued a warning over a new trend that could wreck havoc on Brits’ love lives this winter. We all know it’s cuffing season by now – the term used to describe how everyone hopes to get coupled up for Christmas.

But, it looks like not everyone is game when it comes to getting into a meaningful relationship around the festive season. Instead of staying single, some people are engaging in the act of ‘sledging’.

No, not the kind that makes you feel like a child again. Forget getting pushed down a slope by your parents as, for 2024, the new meaning of sledging might push you over the edge.

READ MORE: This date night spot is getting a makeover for Christmas – and you can see it tonight

READ MORE: Dinner dates are becoming thing of the past as Gen Z look to this ‘risky’ activity

Gen Z are participating in the sledging trend where they purposely ‘drag someone along’ over the winter season, delaying a break-up or continuing dating someone they know they’re not interested in.

Research by dating app happn found that over one in ten (15%) of single 18-25 year olds continued to keep dating the same person over Christmas, even though they didn’t actually fancy them, with the intention to break things off after the festive season had wrapped up.

Brutal, right!

Though it’s about to get even more ‘toxic’. That’s because sledging is not only for singletons looking for love to be wary of, but for those in relationships too.

Happn discovered that in their research of over 600 daters that a further 15% of Gen Z have wanted to break up with their partner for some time but decided to wait to do it until after Christmas and New Year.

It turns put that 75% of these people made the decision to split in November, but delayed it until after the New Year to avoid being alone.

Even worse, 25% of the most prolific ‘sledgers’ decided to ‘sledge’ their partner all the way from August to after Christmas. Now happn’s dating expert Claire Rénier revealed how to keep your wits about you in this worrying “red flag” dating trend.

Speaking on the Sledging trend, Claire revealed: “Gen Z should look out for signs that they’re being ‘sledged’ to avoid their partner staying with them just through the Winter, with intention to break up soon after.

“This can be toxic and a red flag.

“People shouldn’t be treated this way in what should be a loving and trusting relationship. It plays with people’s emotions and fosters short-term satisfaction.

“Instead, young people should find more authentic connections with people with shared locations and Hobbies. This way they can find partners that are genuinely interested in them and sustain a relationship to last beyond just the Winter!”

Top reasons for sledging:

1. To have someone to have sex with (60%)

2. To have someone to cuddle with when it’s cold (50%)

3. To avoid feeling lonely in this magical time of year (40%)

4. To avoid answering questions about being single (30%)

5. To have someone to bring to Christmas and New Year’s parties (20%)