The rise of ‘The Penny Method’ underscores the evolving dynamics of modern dating, where societal shifts have changed how people interact with the trend now viral on TikTok
In the ever-evolving landscape of dating, new trends and behaviors emerge, some harmless, while others take a darker turn. The latest one making waves in the dating scene is known as ‘The Penny Method.’
Explained what is The Penny Method of Dating and its meaning explained as trend goes viral on TikTok
Saw a TikTok about something called the penny method (it's kinda like love bombing) and I-
The dating pool and rubbish games. If you're off the streets, hols your partner tight. It's detty out here.
— Writer Barbie. ✨ (@adesolaaaaa) November 8, 2023
What I hate about the internet attention economy: ONE girl on TikTok made up a fake dating “penny method” she thinks guys are doing (no mention of it online prior to yesterday), it goes viral, & now legitimate news sites are posting articles about “the sinister new dating trend!”
— Ian Zapcic, PhD (@ian_zapcic) November 18, 2023
The ‘Penny Method’ involves giving less attention and effort in a relationship until the person is okay with getting small bits of attention. Lifestyle influencer Erika Tham says it feels almost wrong to know about this method.
Erika was chatting with her guy friend about love bombing which is when one person is super affectionate at the start of a relationship to control the other person. During this talk, he mentioned the ‘penny method.’
To make a girl interested in you, Erika says you have to give her a lot of attention and effort at the beginning, like giving her hundred-dollar bills.
Giving a lot of attention, like using hundred-dollar bills, is hard work and you can’t always do that. So, with ‘the penny method,’ you start with 100% effort and then slowly reduce it to 90%. The person receiving this might notice the drop, but it’s tricky for them to talk about it without seeming ‘crazy.’ After that, you increase the effort a bit back to 95%.
Erika says, “Now it gets messed up.” Instead of feeling like they lost 5% when you go from 100 to 95, the person thinks they gained 5%, even though you’re putting in less effort. They keep doing this until, in the analogy, they’re okay with getting just pennies, and then they’re happy with getting a pound. Erika adds that the thought of guys thinking like this scares her.
In an age where ghosting, breadcrumbing, and other ambiguous behaviors have become prevalent, ‘The Penny Method’ adds a new layer of complexity to decoding romantic intentions.
It’s crucial for individuals navigating the dating scene to be aware of such trends and to prioritize open and honest communication. While ‘The Penny Method’ may seem like a creative approach to expressing feelings, it ultimately reinforces the need for more direct and transparent communication in relationships.