Dating Nightmares: Here’s what you should do if the ‘Evil Dead Rises’

• 37% users of an online dating app say that the sudden re-entry of an ex can turn into a real-life horror story and even disrupt their new relationship.
• Have you been ghosted after the first date? Data shows that over 18% or more have experienced the humiliation of being dumped without a word.
• Dating nightmares are not just about catfishing and cyberstalking, sometimes meeting a zombie for a first date can be equally traumatising.
  

Marriages may be made in heaven, but nightmarish dates inevitably come from online dating platforms. Ever gone on a date and wanted to run for the hills or been cyberstalked after you ditched someone after the first date? Well, you are not the only one. Many of these bad dates end up with people ghosting their paramours. From ghosting to the evil dead rising, here are some of the worst dating moments that Millennials and GenZ have encountered.

QuackQuack, India's homegrown dating app, conducted a survey to discover some of the worst dating nightmares that its users had to encounter. With feedback from 10,000 participants across the country, the survey sheds light on the challenges faced by millennials and GenZ in the world of dating. Additionally, the survey highlights the risks associated with online dating apps. Let's dive into the spooky world of dating nightmares and discover how to navigate them safely.

Have You Been Ghosted?: According to the survey, 18% of daters from all over India have experienced being ghosted. These individuals shared their stories, revealing that what seemed like a perfect connection turned out to be one-sided. The ghoul of a match disappeared without reason or explanation. The lesson learned from these experiences is the importance of clear communication and honesty. Expressing your feelings openly can help avoid misunderstandings. It's better to be upfront about not feeling the same way rather than leaving someone without closure.

The Evil Dead Rise: The survey also introduced a term coined by GenZ daters: Evil Dead Rise. This refers to when an ex-partner reappears with fake promises and lies, causing havoc in their current relationships. Shockingly, 37% of dating app users between 20 and 26 admitted to experiencing this terrifying phenomenon. The sudden re-entry of an ex can turn a person's life into a real-life horror story. It's crucial to be cautious when dealing with past relationships and not fall for false promises.

The Zombie Match: 31% of female users from Tier 1 and 2 cities reported encountering zombie matches. These matches suddenly unmatched them without reason, only to reappear later as if nothing happened. The solution, as suggested by these women, is to never accept a zombie match. Self-respect and mental peace should always take precedence over any match. It's important to be aware of such patterns and not allow them to repeat.

The Spine-Chilling First Dates: 12% of male daters above 30 from Tier 1 cities shared their nightmarish first date experiences. These dates involved constant phone-checking, excessive talk about exes, bringing friends along, and even leaving mid-way due to food preferences. These men advised young daters to take their time and get to know their match before rushing into a face-to-face meeting. Starting with a virtual meet-up can help gauge compatibility and avoid unpleasant surprises.

Safety is fast becoming a very important factor for online dating platforms. Dating apps have become intimidating because of the sheer volume of profiles that users have to trawl through before finding a suitable person. To make matters worse, women are fearful of encounters with “creeps” and “stalkers.” Remember the infamous Tinder Swindler? In a bid to make the lives of users easy, dating platforms are trying to make things easier by matching profiles using common interests rather than common locations or similar bios.

In an interaction with Business Insider India Karima Ben Abdelmalek, says: “Young people are using dating apps to meet people, date and even marry. But we know we have to change and contribute to the new culture around dates by making it safe for them to meet and engage.”

While online dating can be exhilarating, it also comes with risks. By learning from the experiences of others, individuals can navigate the dating world more safely so that you don’t become the victim of catfishing, image abuse, blackmail or cyberstalking. Additionally, it's crucial to be cautious when using online dating apps and avoid divulging too much personal information. With the right knowledge and precautions, dating can be a thrilling adventure rather than a nightmare.

Founder and CEO of QuackQuack, Ravi Mittal, says, "Navigating the world of romance is certainly tricky, regardless of the mode of communication. Among our 27M+ users, we see genuine connections come easily to some, but not all. Some of these daters have to maneuver a little more than others to reach their perfect match. The purpose of our survey is to help new daters have a smoother experience, and who better to help than experienced daters who have been there and done that."