This article was written by The Zillennial Zine’s senior fall editorial intern Lauren Sanchez. Find her on Instagram at @lauren.sanchezz. If you would like to share an article with The Zillennial, send us an email at thezillennialzine@gmail.com.
Anyone who’s played the dating game knows just how tricky the rules can be. From thinking of the perfect way to ask someone out to looking up fun and easy first date ideas to coming up with actual conversation starters to mitigate any chance of awkward silence, dating can be exhausting.
Speed dating, blind dating, double dating, connecting each other through a friend of a friend… the list of the different ways people go through to find their match goes on and on. And dating in an age where people prefer to swipe right on an app to meet their potential match just makes the game a little more difficult.
Today’s dating culture comes with its fair share of ups and downs, and for those who are eager to meet “the one” quickly, it can start to feel more like a task. Coming from experience, there’s only so much small talk you can tolerate on a dating app before it starts driving you crazy. But as the dating game evolves, so do the methods we use to date. And if you’re looking to make the most out of the fiasco that is modern dating, maybe it’s time to take a look into “Stack Dating.”
What Is Stack Dating?
According to Tinder’s 2023 Future of Dating report, roughly 51% of global Tinder users between the ages of 18 and 25 are casually incorporating dating into their everyday lives, turning dating into something that was once a nerve-racking experience into something much more relaxed and low-pressure. And this new Gen-Z-influenced mindset when it comes to dating has people wanting to make the most out of their dating life.
Stack Dating is essentially “stacking” as many first dates as possible into one day, allowing you to maximize your options of meeting new people while slotting in dates around your existing plans for the day. Stack dates (also known as “errand dates”) kind of sound like a longer version of speed dating. Instead of racing through five-minute sit-downs trying to form a connection with a rotating cast of strangers, you get to spend an hour or two of one-on-one time with people you’re genuinely interested in getting to know. Whether that’s going for coffee in between work meetings or squeezing in a quick bite to eat while running errands, you can make the most out of your day without sacrificing a ton of personal time.
The Benefits Of Stack Dating
As we said before, dating can be an absolute nightmare for some! But with stack dating, there can be numerous benefits for those interested in trying it out. For starters, stack dating lets you fit multiple dates into your existing schedule, helping you meet new people without dedicating too much extra time to it — making it perfect for those who have a busy schedule or want to date without disrupting their daily routine.
Sometimes a single date can create immense pressure. From planning the details of where to go to choosing the perfect outfit to wear, it can be a daunting task to conquer. But with stack dating, dates are meant to be incredibly casual and low-pressure (not to be confused with low effort!) With less pressure applied compared to traditional dates, it might make it easier for you to be yourself.
For those who are a bit scared of dating, stack dating can help you make quicker decisions about who you’re truly interested in. Meeting multiple people in a short span can help narrow down the pool and cut down on the endless back-and-forth that often happen on dating apps. In other words, small talk is out, and being forward is in!
Last but certainly not least, stack dating can help ease the anxiety of ending a date. If things don’t go as planned, you won’t have much time to dwell on the failures and things you could’ve done — you’ll be too busy moving on to the next!
The No-So-Romantic Side of Stack Dating
While stack dating may work for some, it is also important to weigh the potential downsides of this trendy approach to dating.
Meeting multiple people in a day can definitely help you maximize your dating life without compromising too much of your other aspects of life. However, it is possible that you could feel burnout from multiple dates. Scheduling multiple dates in one day can be exhausting and you might find yourself feeling drained by the end of one date, let alone if you plan more than three in one day.
Another downside to stack dating can be an overall lack of focus on each person. When you’re meeting several people back-to-back, it could potentially be harder to fully invest in each interaction and make it harder to form genuine connections if you’re too preoccupied with the previous or upcoming date. Especially since stack dating often occurs during other activities, you may not be fully present or focused on your date which can lead to distractions or making the date feel rushed or impersonal.
For the hopeless romantics out there, the concept of “stack dating” or “errand dating” can sound like the most unromantic thing ever. Moving from date to date can feel more like a chore rather than trying to form a meaningful connection between two people, and for those who like to invest heavily into the emotional aspect of dating straight on, this might not be the best option for you and your dating style.
Is it Worth Trying?
If you’re someone who wants to up their dating game and just wants to put themselves out there, I definitely think stack dating is right for you! In the era of dating apps and algorithms determining our ideal matches, stack dating offers a dynamic way to quickly connect and make the most of your time meeting new people. Especially if you are someone who just wants to casually date and test the dating waters before fully committing yourself to someone, stack dating can help you find what you’re looking for long-term.
However, if you are a hopeless romantic, someone who finds dating apps too ingenuine or someone who can’t fathom doing multiple dates in one day, you might want to skip out on this dating trend. First dates aren’t meant to be scary, but sometimes the small anxieties of putting yourself out there or worrying about not finding an immediate connection can be difficult for some to handle — making stack dating not the most compatible option.
Regardless of whether you participate in stack dating or not, dating in general can be crazy! But no matter the method you choose as a player in the dating game, the most important thing is to stay true to yourself and not let the stress of dating stop you from dating. Remember, the journey of love is just as important as the destination!
What do you think about stack dating? Is this something you’re willing to try out? Let us know in the comments below!
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