How to deal with a talking stage who's using you as a 'spare tire'

A new trend has emerged in dating. Unfortunately, it is common, although it is harmful and may do more harm than good.

Have you heard about the phenomenon of "paperclipping" in the context of dating?

Dating in the digital age, full of dating apps and sites, may seem easier, but in practice it is often a complicated process full of uncertainty.

Among the many trends that have emerged in this context, "paperclipping" is one of the most annoying.

This phenomenon involves sporadic contact with another person, resembling the action of paperclip - sending short, perfunctory messages, without any real desire to establish deeper relationships.

A person who "paperclips" is not interested in a long-term relationship, but wants to maintain contact, treating the other party as a "spare tire."

This behaviour can be misleading and give false hopes for developing relationships. In fact, short conversations that end quickly usually don't lead to anything more serious because the person simply doesn't want a long-term relationship.

According to Psychology Today, you can react to such situations in three ways: let yourself be drawn into the game, because we do not particularly care about a permanent relationship; ignore such messages or confront the person, asking directly about their intentions.

ALSO READ: How to know your talking stage isn't leading anywhere

Given how complicated the dating world can be, it's worth being aware of trends like "paperclipping." Knowing the other person's intentions can save a lot of valuable time that could be spent on building valuable relationships.

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This article was originally published on Ofeminin Women.