Surprising way Gen Z is outsmarting older generations

It’s no secret Gen Z is changing the way we do things, but there is one area is particular where the youngsters are upstaging every other generation.

It is no secret that Gen Z is rapidly changing how we see and do things – from championing a healthy work-life balance and rejecting the idea of “hustle culture” to challenging restricting notions around gender norms and identity.

But one area the younger people seem to be doing better in than any other generation before is dating.

Practices that used to be seen as “normal” – such as playing hard to get – have been thrown out the window and acts that used to be seen as “cringey” are now being viewed as “genuine”.

Not only that, but because the younger generation are more open to talking about mental health and self-care, they place a high level of importance caring for themselves and aren’t afraid to express what they want or need out of a relationship.

Tinder’s Future of Dating Report 2023 has revealed that 18-25 year-olds are drastically changing the dating game, with 69 per cent of this group believing they are the ones to refresh dating standards for the next generation.

Gen Z are changing the dating landscape.

The data in the report, titled A Renaissance in Dating, Driven by Authenticity, comes from multiple surveys and studies of thousands of people across Australia, the US, the UK and Canada.

Gen Z, born between 1997 and 2012, are now the biggest users of Tinder, with the company’s COO, Faye Iosotaluno, saying they are changing the dating landscape in a way never seen before.

“This is a group that continues to influence society and challenge constrictive norms in the most profound of ways. No other generation has made such a huge impact on the workplace, retail consumption, technology, politics and culture,” she said.

“It is this generation that we believe are driving the most change that we’ve ever seen in how we date, who we date and what dating actually is.”

Millennial trend that’s no longer ‘normal’

A massive 75 per cent of Gen Z Tinder users believe they are challenging the dating and relationship standards that were passed down to them.

And it appears that many Millennials agree with this sentiment, with more than half of the people in this generation surveyed agreeing dating is healthier for 18 to 25-year-olds today than it was when they were the same age.

When Tinder first launched in 2012, it was Millennials who made up the 18 to 25-year-old age group.

At the time, online dating was not seen as something widely used by young people, but the introduction of Tinder and being able to simply “swipe right” on a potential match changed the game for single Millennials.

But in just a few short years what was seen as acceptable dating behaviour to Millennials is now seen as a giant red flag to Gen Z.

Gen Z are ditching ‘dating games’ and opting for a more genuine approach to finding a connection online. Picture: Tinder Future of Dating Report 2023

Three in four 33 to 37-year-olds agree that dating games – like playing hard to get, giving mixed signals and playing the field – were accepted as “normal” when they were younger.

Covid and extensive lockdowns means young daters don’t want to take their time for granted.

This means no leaving an appropriately aloof amount of time to reply to a crush so they don’t think you are “too keen” and waiting less time to organise a real-life meeting after connecting online.

The vast majority of young Tinder users reply to a crush within 30 minutes, 40 per cent reply within five minutes and one in three reply immediately.

The younger generation are also 32 per cent less likely to ghost someone than people aged 33 and over, once again speaking to their high regard for authenticity and lack of patience for dating games.

Authenticity is key for Gen Z

Gen Z have grown up with the internet and feel at home online, meaning they don’t see the need for a perfectly curated online presence and value authenticity over extensively filtered pictures and a carefully thought out, witty bio.

Openness, mental wellbeing, honesty and respect are key players in this new landscape, with 80 per cent of 18 to 25-year-olds agreeing their own self-care is their top priority when dating and 79 per cent wanting prospective partners to do the same.

In fact, 75 per cent of young singles say they find a potential partner more attractive if they are open to working on their mental health and wellbeing.

“[Gen Z] are more self-aware, open and fluid in how they view gender, sexuality and dating than any other generation before them,” the report states.

“Today’s young daters are changing the state-of-the-date by tossing out timelines, goals of the white picket fence and endless self imposed pressure for conventional labels.

“Instead, they are embracing a low pressure approach to dating that has cracked open a whole new world of meaningful relationship types.”

Gen Z open-mindedness and fluid approach to gender and sexuality means this is also a great time in the world of dating for members of the LGBTQIA+ community.

The most common way for same-sex couples to meet eachother is through online dating, with LGBTQIA+ members now the fastest growing group on Tinder.

Authenticity in dating is key for Gen Z.

Since 2021, there has been a 30 per cent increase in gender identities other than male or female, with those identifying as non-binary increasing by 104 per cent in just one year.

Tinder’s Global Expert in Relationship Insights, Paul C. Brunson, said Gen Z’s approach to dating means LGBTQIA+ relationships will continue to flourish.

“LGBTQIA+ relationships are significantly growing due to Gen Z’s open-minded and inclusive approach to gender and sexuality,” he said in the report.

“This generation is embracing a more nuanced understanding of gender and sexuality, and the most common way for same sex couples to meet is through online dating.”

Gen Z and ‘dry dating’

For many single people, going out for a drink is the go to option for a first date.

It isn’t as formal as going to dinner, gives leeway for extending the date/cutting it off early and – most importantly – sipping on a drink gives you something to do during those awkward silences.

In fact, surveyed Millennials resoundingly agreed that the top date choice when they were 18-25 would have been grabbing drinks at a bar.

But for Gen Z, drinking is becoming a less prominent part of the dating scene.

Of the people surveyed, 88 per cent said they are interested in going on a sober date this year, with more than half saying they are either drinking less alcohol this year or opting not to drink at all.

“Call it what you want – sober dating, dry dating, sober curious dating – this is becoming less of a trend and more of a lifestyle choice for Gen Z, with the ability to form a more genuine connection (42%), safety (40%) and quality of conversation (39%) topping the list of motivators towards sobriety,” the report states.

“This is yet another departure from previous generations.”

So, what are young people doing on dates instead?

A picnic in a park was the top pick for those surveyed, with a casual stroll with coffee or an outdoor movie also being popular picks.

So if you are hoping for a successful first date, maybe ditch the pub crawl and go for something more wholesome like minigolf instead.