September 16 marks 100 days until Christmas — which dating app Bumble declares the start of cuffing season. A term from African-American Vernacular English (AAVE), cuffing season is the fall and winter in the northern hemisphere; people are more apt to "cuff" and be partnered for the holiday season and Valentine's Day.
Internal data from Bumble supports this: 52 percent of people on Bumble in the UK clearly state that they're looking for a relationship on their profiles.
SEE ALSO: How to move on after a situationship ends"Sometimes our views on dating are influenced by the cultural zeitgeist — a great example is how Christmas romcoms make us think we should couple up in winter as we see many portrayals of wholesome holiday romances," explained Bumble's sex and relationships expert, Dr. Caroline West. "Even though that is often the case, ultimately, you can find a spark at any time of year. Whilst autumn is a popular time for dating, no one should feel pressured to do so unless it feels right for them."
In a desperate attempt to cuff yourself, you may opt for a situationship — when you're not quite dating, but not single either. If you do find yourself dating this cuffing season, West outlined three situationships you may find yourself in — and how to navigate them:
Safety Net Situationship
Due to the pressure to couple up for the holidays, some singles may choose to rekindle a comforting old fling, which Bumble is defining as "safety-netting."
Recent Bumble polling of 14,300 Bumble users worldwide show, however, that 58 percent of singles are more open to date beyond their usual type. With the desire to explore connections beyond what you've experienced before, West said there's no need to fall back on your "safety net."
"It can be empowering to use this time to prioritise yourself, so consider taking yourself on some solo dates as a treat," said West.
SEE ALSO: Not quite dating but not hooking up either? You're in a situationship.Shielding Situationship
If family and friends have made you feel bad for not having a significant other to take to holiday festivities, you're not alone: 38 percent of Gen Z and millennial Bumble users say the same, according to worldwide polling. This tension may lead you to "shield" yourself with a situationship to appease your loved ones.
"My advice in this situation would be to take your time," said West. "Simply let your family or friends know that you are intentionally dating, taking your time to find someone that aligns with your values rather than rushing into a relationship."
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Promising Situationship
Fall and winter leads to some great date ideas — from Halloween parties to Bonfire Night, West said. Spending such quality time with someone can build a foundation for a long-term relationship, even if that's not what you set out for at the start.
"Many people don't start their cuffing season situationship thinking it's going to be long term, but sometimes… it just ends up that way," West said. "It's important to remember that just because a relationship started in cuffing season, doesn’t mean it needs to end in it too."
Being honest and upfront is the most important thing in a relationship for 84 percent of Bumble singles, so if you want a deeper connection, tell your situationship! Good luck this cuffing season, daters.
