2020 brought with it a whole new world of dating. Suddenly singles were thrown into the deep end: either virtual date your way back to a love life or be at the most extreme end of isolation ever.

So, what does 2021 bring, dare we ask? Have we seen the end of ‘ghosting’ and ‘catfishing’ following a year that brought about some much-needed togetherness and hope? We’re used to seeing different dating scenarios to look out for – this year more than ever before – but what about the singles themselves?

Leading international dating app, happn, have revealed the daters to look out for in 2021. The app has given new names to the kinds of people singles may cross paths with on their dating quests. Creating these titles will allow daters to not only name a type of behaviour they may be seeing, but also to recognise and understand a trend they have not been able to put their finger on previously.

Marine Ravinet, Head of Trends at happn, said: “2020 has been a testing year for everyone – to say the least – however, we have noticed singles grabbing their dating life by the reins and engaging in such strong ways. We do know though, that new habits have been picked up by singles on the dating scene and giving those daters a name will hopefully raise some awareness in case people stumble across them on their journey to finding the one! Sometimes, being able to identify a pattern of behaviour in another single allows people to move forward with dating, instead of falling back into old habits – let’s leave those in 2020!”

happn’s Daters to Look Out For in 2021:

The Ronamancer

Definition: a person who got into a relationship as soon as the pandemic started.

Usage: ”They were off the market as soon as the pandemic began! They’re such a Ronamancer!”

The Vaccindater

Definition: the person who asks their Crush if they’ve been vaccinated against Covid-19 before they meet up for a date IRL.

Usage: “Well, before we find a time and a place to meet, can I just ask you one small question?

Have you been vaccinated yet or what?”

The Masked Bandit

Definition: when you think it’s love at first sight… and then the mask comes off.

Usage: “I thought they were SO good looking… until the mask came off. They’re a Masked Bandit!”

The Covidumped

Definition: a name for those whose relationship broke down due to the lock down, and are now fresh on the dating scene!

Usage: “Apparently they’re just out of a four-year relationship. Watch out for them, they were Covidumped!”

The Tracer

Definition: the one who is now looking for ‘the one’ as they can’t face another lock-down alone! Taking tracker and tracing to a whole new level…

Usage: “They’re a tracer… They can’t do another pandemic single!”

The Pandamner

Definition: a single who flirts and chats with others out of boredom (especially during the pandemic) but have zero intention of meeting up.

Usage: “So they keep messaging you, but haven’t arranged a date yet? Beware, they’re a pandamner!”

The Panspective

Definition: singles who, having had a year of reflection, are taking control of their dating life in 2021.

Usage: “They’ve changed this year – they are on it. They’ve put their life into panspective.”

The Flatmaters

Definition: whether it’s a friend you live with or don’t, the kind of dater who, when locked down with another, moves quickly into a relationship.

Usage: “They were just living together, but now they’re together, together. Pure Flatmaters.”

The Bug Brainers

Definition: a single who has been out of the dating game for a fair while (thanks 2020) and can’t quite grasp how to speak to their Crush.

Usage: “I haven’t dated in a year. I’ve forgotten how to even be on a date, let alone speak to my Crush! I’m a real Bug Brainer!”

The Palette Cleanser

Definition: a name for those who are getting back into dating but need to settle their nerves, so are on the look-out for an easy target.

Usage: “Don’t go near them, they’re look for a Palette Cleanser, and that is NOT you!”

The Handy Andy

Definition: that convenient single who is fit, funny, and just around the corner.

Usage: “What about that Handy Andy? They’d be perfect for you and literally a five-minute walk away!”

The Lizzo

Definition: a former high-maintenance person who has embraced their own body for any and all of the beautiful forms it takes!

Usage: “They have really embraced themselves this year and are so much better for it. They’re a real Lizzo!”

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