The Talking Stage: Navigating love in the grey area

With people turning to social media dating platforms to get their romance, dating in the contemporary world is becoming extremely complicated 

As the nature of society becomes increasingly chaotic and in ways disconnected, so does romance. The boundaries of romantic relationships are becoming increasingly blurred and the idea and definitions of being in one are no longer as straightforward as they used to be. Amid this, Generation Z has coined the term the “talking stage,” a grey area where people connect but don’t commit 

The talking stage refers to the early phase of getting to know someone before deciding to start dating. It’s a critical stage in any modern relationship. It’s a stage that can go on for weeks or months, leaving those involved in a state of limbo. There is undeniable pressure to get it right; one wrong step and you’ll be ghosted. 

It begins with a rush of excitement and a feeling of great potential, but this can quickly change. The challenges of the real world will emerge and the doubt will set in as the initial excitement fades. The talking stage is filled with uncertainty; it is a grey area between casual acquaintance and full-blown romance, with no one really knowing what is going on. 

The talking stage is a time of late nights and constant confusion, but things weren’t always this way. In the past, people had to meet naturally and in person, making for a much simpler dating process. You meet someone; you go on a date and if you mesh well, you go on another. There was no need for a talking stage and conversation happened organically. But with the rise of both social media and dating apps alike, people are forced into a world of swiping, texting and shallow conversation. 

The introduction of social media has complicated the world of love further. With endless opportunities to meet new people it is easy to fall into the trap of casual conversation that will ultimately lead nowhere. 

This raises the question, why do we keep the talking stage around? 

It offers a sense of freedom; there is no pressure of commitment. It is a relationship without any real feelings or pressure. Commitment is scary. Therefore, it could be argued that this stage might be used to test the waters, giving those involved an opportunity to leave without consequence. 

While the talking stage may seem like an easy way to avoid getting hurt, it can still affect you emotionally. The limbo of not knowing where things are going can cause anxiety and sleepless nights. Hours can be filled thinking of the next steps. A hole of unavoidable worry can be dug as the realization sets in that you don’t really know this person at all. 

The talking stage is now intertwined with dating. It is slowly becoming the first step in every relationship. Social media is reshaping the way we interact, creating a space to explore new connections. However as social media continues to take over, new complications will arise and we will be forced to consider whether this shift is truly enhancing our relationships or just prolonging the uncertainty of modern relationships.