Choremancing: Is This the Future of Dating or the End of Romance?
In a world where dating often involves swanky dinners and cocktails, a new trend is emerging that might just revolutionise how we find love. Welcome to choremancing, a portmanteau of "chore" and "romance," where dates are folded into mundane errands like grocery shopping or assembling flatpack furniture. This concept, highlighted by dating app Plenty of Fish in its annual report, has gained traction over the past four months, sparking debates about its impact on modern relationships.
What Exactly Is Choremancing?
Choremancing involves integrating dates with everyday tasks, such as walking a dog together, going to the gym, or even tackling household chores. The idea is to see how a potential partner handles the grindingly mundane aspects of life, which often dominate long-term relationships. Proponents argue it's the ultimate compatibility test, moving beyond the superficial glamour of traditional dates to assess real-life tolerance and teamwork.
For instance, instead of a romantic dinner, couples might opt for a gardening date or a joint trip to the supermarket. This approach aims to reveal whether someone can manage practical responsibilities, like putting saucepans away properly, which could make or break a future partnership. As one advocate puts it, "Anyone can giggle coquettishly through a night out, but what if you marry them and discover they can't handle basic chores?"
The Pros and Cons of Choremancing
On one hand, choremancing offers a pragmatic way to evaluate long-term potential. By sharing mundane activities, couples can gauge compatibility in areas that truly matter for cohabitation and shared responsibilities. It's seen as a sensible step towards understanding if a relationship can withstand the daily grind of life, from lawn-mowing to bill-paying.
However, critics view it as a bleak indictment of societal pressures, where love is reduced to another tick-box on a to-do list. They argue that it strips away the romance and spontaneity that make dating exciting, potentially transforming it into a transactional experience. As one sceptic notes, "It's a horrible reflection of how modern life has commodified relationships."
How to Embrace Choremancing
For those intrigued by this trend, there are numerous ways to incorporate choremancing into dating life. Suggestions include inviting a date over to fold laundry together, embarking on an Ikea trip to assemble furniture, or even cleaning the oven while watching a football match. These activities, while seemingly unromantic, can foster teamwork and reveal deeper compatibility.
Some take it further, proposing tasks like coordinating family birthdays or managing household calendars together. As one enthusiast explains, "That's the logical endpoint of choremance—it's about preparing for married life, where shared responsibilities are key." Whether this leads to lasting love or simply highlights incompatibilities, choremancing is reshaping how people approach relationships in an increasingly practical world.
