Hey fellow uni students! Today I've gathered all those "OMG this is so me!" dating situations that we can all relate to.
Our Gen Z dating life is totally different from previous generations. We balance stan culture with dating, meeting people on apps is normal, and we all stalk our crushes on Instagram... Let me spill all the tea on our real dating situations as a current university student!
Meeting People: Are Dating Apps Our Main Battlefield?
The "Are You Single?" Check at Club Orientations
This is SO real! When club recruiting season starts, everyone begins with the relationship status check.
When you say you're single after being asked "Do you have a boyfriend?", they immediately ask for your LINE. But honestly, sometimes the real answer is "I'm too busy with my stan life for dating" (LOL).
Also, checking club Instagram accounts to avoid ones with too many couples. Like, being in a club full of couples is just awkward, right? My friend literally avoided the tennis club saying it's a "couple factory."
Dating App Discussions During Lunch
Don't you often end up talking about "Which apps do you use?" between classes or during lunch?
For us Gen Z, dating apps are just a normal way to meet people. We share app reviews like "Tinder has too many hookups" or "Pairs is more serious."
Actually, about one in three couples I know met through apps. But most tell their parents they "met at a club" (LOL). Our parents' generation still doesn't get it.
LINE & SNS: The Read Receipt and Quick Reply Game
The Art of Reading Without Opening Messages
That technique where you read LINE messages through notifications without marking them as read - everyone does this, right?
Using iPhone's 3D Touch or reading through the notification center. This gives you time to think "Would replying immediately seem too eager?" and makes them wonder if you're busy.
But with crushes, we mark messages as read in seconds anyway, so it's totally obvious (LOL).
Soft Launch Posts on Instagram Stories
Posting vague stories like "Had so much fun today~" without saying who you were with!
New couples do this all the time. Then they wait for friends to DM asking "With who?" I totally did this when I got a boyfriend (cringe memory).
Also, writing "HBD" instead of "Happy Birthday" on their special day to seem casually special is such a mood.
Dating: Broke Student Couple Hacks
Cafeteria Dates Are Actually Great
Cafeteria lunch dates are actually the best.
They're cheap, easy to schedule, and you can naturally run into friends. Under 500 yen means you can meet three times a week! My uni's cafeteria has surprisingly good variety, so we don't get bored.
Though it's a bit embarrassing when people say "That couple is always together." But hey, that's part of the university experience.
Study Dates at the Library
Library dates during exam season - total classic!
"Let's study together" but actually just being happy sitting next to them and unable to focus at all. But this is what youth feels like!
Last year, I studied with my crush at the library but spent all my time staring at their profile and ended up pulling an all-nighter before the exam (LOL).
Balancing Stan Life and Dating
The "Stan vs Boyfriend" Dilemma
This is such a Gen Z problem. When your bias's concert clashes with your boyfriend's birthday.
Honestly, sometimes the concert feels more important (sorry). The concert might be once in a lifetime, but birthdays happen every year, right?
But recently, more boyfriends are understanding about stan culture. Some even go to concerts together, and others accept that "bias is bias, boyfriend is boyfriend." Those people are literally gods.
Falling for People Who Look Like Your Bias
Ever notice you keep falling for people who look like your bias?
My bias has black hair and a cool vibe, and everyone I like is the same type. My friends always say "It's the same type again" (LOL).
Your bias sets your ideal type, so you look for similar people in real life. But finding someone with bias-level visuals? Nearly impossible...
Breakups: The SNS Era Hassle
Deleting Couple Photos After Breaking Up
Erasing SNS traces after a breakup is SO annoying!
Deleting or archiving all those Instagram couple photos. But delete too much and everyone knows you broke up, leave too much and it looks like you can't move on.
You have to remove tags, edit story highlights... They call it a "digital tattoo" and honestly, erasing SNS traces is exhausting.
Too Many Mutual Friends Making It Awkward
When you date and break up within university, your ex is EVERYWHERE.
If you're in the same club, it's the worst. Orientations, festivals, drinking parties - you have to see each other at everything. Plus your friends feel awkward, so you feel bad for everyone.
My friend tried to "stay friends" to continue in the same club, but it got awkward the moment one of them got a new partner.
Long Distance: University-Specific Problems
Job Hunting Splitting Couples Between Cities
The job hunting long-distance problem that appears around third year.
You've been at the same university seeing each other daily, but then job offers split you between Tokyo and hometown. So many couples break up because "long distance won't work."
But some stay positive thinking "We'll have money as working adults to visit each other." Train and plane tickets are expensive for students, but maybe manageable with a salary.
Screen Share Dates During Online Classes
Since COVID, Zoom online dates have become normal.
Some people LINE call their boyfriend while attending online classes. It creates a feeling of being together even when apart.
When I went home, we'd screen share and watch movies together. Netflix Party lets you sync playback - super convenient!
Part-Time Job Romance: Shift Matching Strategy
Deliberately Requesting the Same Shifts
When you like someone at work, matching shifts is basic strategy!
Pretending it's "coincidence" while requesting the same days. Then you have a natural excuse to talk: "We're together again today~" This has a high success rate.
You also create chances to leave together after work. It's the winning formula for workplace romance.
The High Rate of Falling for Senior Staff
Why do senior staff at part-time jobs look so attractive?
Seeing them work efficiently makes your heart flutter. Especially seniors who kindly train you when you're new - 100% crush rate.
I had a phase where I liked my manager at my izakaya job. But looking back objectively, "He was just good at his job, his face was average" (LOL).
Online Classes: Screen Romance
Getting Close in Breakout Rooms
That heart-racing moment when you're alone in a breakout room!
Usually you can't talk in large groups, but small groups suddenly bring you closer. Starting with "This class is hard, right?" can lead to LINE exchanges.
The good thing about online classes is private chat messages. Secretly sending "Can I LINE you later?" during class.
Camera Off But Actually Dressed Up
Ever have camera-off classes where you're actually wearing makeup?
Just in case they suddenly say "Turn your cameras on," at least your top half is presentable. Extra effort for classes with your crush.
Wearing proper clothes under pajama bottoms, only cleaning the visible part of your room. Classic online class behavior!
Conclusion: Gen Z Dating is Complex and Interesting!
Thanks for reading this far! Did you relate to any of these situations?
Gen Z university dating has become super complex with SNS and stan culture mixed in. But that's our generation's dating style.
Meeting through apps, prioritizing our bias, soft launching on Instagram - these are all our ways of dating. Our parents' generation might not understand, but this is Reiwa era romance.
University is only four years, so let's enjoy both dating and stan life to the fullest! Even failures become memories. I'm still learning about love too, so let's figure it out together!
Both love and stan life are important. Balancing is hard, but maybe that's Gen Z's strength? Wishing everyone success in love!
