What a sad (dare I say pathetic) time we live in that an entire lexicon of bad dating behaviors has emerged.
(The good news is that if you sign up for a paid subscription to this series, you’ll get my free Dating Dictionary this summer.)
Now back to free stuff…
Fizzling is a passive-aggressive form of behavior that occurs before ghosting. Or, I suppose you could just be fizzled for all eternity.
It’s exactly as it sounds. One person has decided you’re not their person or they are dating multiple people, so their enthusiasm decreases.
Texting slows, or you get one-word answers to questions. You may occasionally get a glimmer of validation or even a date, but the slow torture and ambiguity continue for days, weeks, or months.
Like pulling off a bandaid slowly, this form of disinterest is reported to be even more painful and cowardly than the sudden vanishing act. According to recent articles, it can severely damage mental health and self-esteem.
So, we’ve established that breaking up (even after a couple of dates) is hard to do. But if you’re having doubts or playing the (giant) field, put on your big boy or girl pants and be honest, and don’t play games.
Fizzle is only good for upset stomachs, and these treats from our past.