You matched, you chatted, then nothing happened: Why Gen Z is ‘dial-toning’
Gen Z daters are increasingly engaging in a behavior dubbed "dial-toning," where they maintain a connection with someone they're not actively dating. This phenomenon, highlighted by a survey by relationship platform QuackQuack, shows that over 45% of respondents from major Indian cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, and Bengaluru admit to participating in dial-toning.
Psychologists suggest that this behavior reflects uncertainty and emotional ambivalence. People may not be ready for a relationship but are also not ready to completely cut off contact. The small interactions, such as a like, story view, or an emoji reply, can create anticipation and hope, making it difficult for individuals to move on emotionally.
While some may dial-tone because they're curious or lonely, others might be waiting for the right time to take the next step. The key to understanding whether dial-toning reflects genuine interest or is merely a comfort mechanism lies in asking oneself if they would actively pursue the person if the opportunity arose.
Written by urgent.news from The Indian Express's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
