Ghosts, zombies, and phantoms are not just for Halloween. In the dating world, these supernatural entities are alive and well throughout the year.
Ghosting, the act of cutting off all communication without warning, is a common experience for almost half of singletons. But what’s even more alarming is the rise of zombie-ing, where someone reappears in your life without any explanation. And let’s not forget about haunting, where an old flame keeps tabs on you from afar without actually reaching out.
A recent survey of 2,000 British adults revealed that 43% have been ghosted, with women slightly more likely to experience this than men. Interestingly, almost a quarter of respondents accepted ghosting as a hazard of dating, especially if the relationship hadn’t progressed to meeting in person.
When it comes to ghosting, Sunderland takes the lead as the city where daters are most likely to be ghosted, while York seems to have the least number of modern ghosts, perhaps thanks to its spooky inspiration for Bram Stoker’s Dracula.
While most people find ghosting unacceptable, nearly half believe it’s an acceptable way to punish a cheater. Young people aged 18-24 often use loss of interest or a “vibe mismatch” as excuses for ghosting, with some even waiting at least 10 days before officially ghosting someone.
On the other hand, being zombied or experiencing phantom-flirting is not uncommon among youngsters. However, more than half of respondents said they would not welcome back a zombie ex with open arms.
Interestingly, the survey also found that being honest pays off in relationships. A significant percentage of men and women were willing to give a past relationship another chance, as long as they hadn’t been ghosted.
So, it seems that the world of dating is filled with supernatural beings beyond Halloween. Whether you’ve been ghosted, zombied, or haunted, it’s important to remember that honesty and communication are key in any relationship.