There’s a dating trend called “zombie-ing,” and it may even be worse than ghosting

Dating in the age of Tinder and Bumble is truly a minefield, and we’re always discovering new ways to be flabbergasted by peoples’ antics. Case in point: “zombie-ing,” the dating trend term that will make you want to throw your phone at the wall…but please don’t!

So “zombie-ing” is related to ghosting, and isn’t technically a new phenomenon in the dating world— but the term perfectly describes the behavior in question. According to PrimeMind.com, zombie-ing is when someone who you thought had ghosted you shows up unexpectedly again in your life (usually through texts or social media). Basically, much like a zombie, they’ve returned from the dead.

Zombie-ing seems to occur long after you’ve been ghosted, when you’re finally starting to heal from the pain of someone inexplicably disappearing from your life. Suddenly, months later, they’re throwing you Likes, double-taps, or even LinkedIn requests…leaving you to be wonder, “WTF is going on here?!”

In the age of online dating, it’s increasingly difficult to figure out where you stand with a person, especially when “defining the relationship” happens less and less as people are afraid to commit and lose other potential options available at the swipe of a finger.

Of course, zombie-ing is hardly a new concept, as former partners have always figured out ways to slither back into our lives just as we’ve finally forgotten about them. But in an era where you can thrust yourself back into someone’s life with one quick tap, click, or Like, it gives those zombies easy and ample opportunity.

In our opinions, there are two ways to handle the undead: If they message you with minimal effort (as in a simple, “Hey,” or just a bunch of likes), it’s usually best to ignore. HOWEVER, if they return with a genuine, full-fledged apology and explanation of why they ghosted and why they want to try again, then there’s no shame in giving them another shot (if, of course, that’s what you actually want!).

Good luck, friends! And stay safe.