What is Chalant Dating?
Chalant dating is the new buzzword in the dating world, representing a shift away from nonchalance. The term 'chalant' is the opposite of nonchalant, though it is not officially in the dictionary. It describes an attitude of being open and unafraid to express feelings towards a romantic interest.
The Rise of Chalant
According to Logan Ury, director of relationship science for the dating app Hinge, searches for 'chalant' surged by 217% last year. Ury defines chalant as a positive shift 'towards people feeling comfortable wearing their passion on their sleeve a bit more and just going after something – and not trying to win that battle of who can care less.'
Celebrity Role Models: Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce
Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce are cited as the embodiment of chalance. The couple, who reportedly got married recently, openly support each other: Kelce has joined Swift on stage at her concerts, and Swift is a prominent cheerleader for the Kansas City Chiefs. Their public displays of affection exemplify the chalant approach.
Applying Chalant to Everyday Dating
While celebrities make it look easy, chalant dating can be a bigger step for ordinary people. Matthew Hussey, a dating expert, advises that 'life’s too short; go for it.' However, he also warns against idealizing celebrity couples, which may lead to disappointment. The key is to be genuine and direct, breaking away from traditional dating games like the 'three-day rule.'
Lonely Negatives and Unpaired Words
The concept of chalant is part of a broader linguistic phenomenon of 'unpaired words' or 'lonely negatives,' such as disgruntled, impeccable, and ruthless. These words exist only in the negative form, but chalant flips the script by embracing the positive.
