When dating, it is quite normal to put the positive qualities in the foreground. True to the motto: my house, my car, my dog, my hobbies. But after a certain point, it can quickly become too much of a good thing.
The dating trend Gatsbying got its name from the popular novel The Great Gatsby written by F. Scott Fitzgerald. At least since the film adaptation of the book with Leonardo DiCaprio ten years ago, almost everyone knows the content. The film is about an author, Nick Carraway, who enters the world of the rich and famous. It tells the story of millionaire Jay Gatsby, who in the 1920s tries to win over his beloved by showing off while living in a world of wealth, illusions and social superficiality. It’s about the American Dream, lost love and criticism of the decadence of the time. A phenomenon that is also common in today’s dating world: playing with illusion and perfection.
When you get to know someone, you gradually tap into key data that is important to you. What does the person work, what does he or she do in his or her free time and how “interesting” is the person in general, but also for me personally. But the dating trend Gatsbying starts even earlier. If you like the new acquaintance, many people tend to present an irresistible illusory world. The goal? Impress the new crush, you’ve never met anyone better than me.
The illusory world of social media serves as a dating lure
Right from the start, social media presents an illusory world of how cool, rich, international, well-read, sporty and social one is. Postings are made on purpose that suggest you’re an enormously good catch. Most of the time, however, no specific attention is paid to the new swarm, there are no direct messages or the like. The images and the cosmopolitan aspect of social media are meant to trigger a desire for one. Much like the Great Gatsby did in the film of the same name.
With a little sensitivity, for example, the Instagram profile of the new acquaintance is read out, what is important to that person, and that is exactly what is then served. The lady of hearts likes designer bags? Then you will definitely like Poser pictures with expensive cars. This gives the feeling that you could buy the lady many more high-priced bags and that luxury is important to you.
As more and more people present an illusory world when they get to know each other, it becomes increasingly difficult to look behind this “Gatsby” facade. Social media often does not correspond to reality even without the targeted dating trend Gatsbying. In addition, the person who runs Gatsbying puts an enormous amount of time and effort into the fake appearance and it is not even said that the swarm also pays attention to it or jumps on it. But even if the scam worked and you move on to the phase of really getting to know and dating, the bubble will burst.
The fake behavior “Gatsbying” is not very suitable for getting to know someone seriously. The illusory world and facade cannot be maintained in the long run and the disappointment that the Lamborghini may not be driven through the city every weekend is inevitable.
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Source: Stern
I am an author and journalist who has worked in the entertainment industry for over a decade. I currently work as a news editor at a major news website, and my focus is on covering the latest trends in entertainment. I also write occasional pieces for other outlets, and have authored two books about the entertainment industry.
