“Shrekking” is Gen Z’s latest TikTok dating trend. Some young singles are reportedly taking inspiration from Shrek—where Shrek is a less-than-appealing Ogre and Fiona is a beautiful princess—and giving name to “dating someone you’re not physically attracted to in the hopes that they will treat you well in return.” Online, Gen Z has turned it into a full-blown trend where they deliberately “date down” in terms of attractiveness in their eyes. One TikToker posted about her experience with “shrekking,” saying, “We’ve all been there: We give the guy we’re not attracted to a chance, thinking that he will for sure know what he has and treat us well.” Others say it doesn’t come down to just physical appearance, but “requires you to lower your standards entirely,” with the main goal of being the better half of the relationship. But experts say the latest “hack” puts too much pressure on relationships, and that Gen Z singles should “stop seeing dating as a game of strategy.” (Her Campus)
👀 Read more from YPulse: Are Twentysomething’s Over Dating?
