We've all heard about cuffing season — that point frame throughout the Fall and Winter when individuals who'd normally rather be single end up attempting to be “cuffed” or coupled in a relationship. But now that the summertime are upon us, it enhances the question – what is the spring/summer version of cuffing season? And if so, what might it look like?
Enter the new term to increase our collective dating lexicon – freckling. A Freckler is somebody that dips to you when the weather's nice and then vanishes, vamoose, once the chill sets in.
But wait, what are the differences between using a summer fling and freckling? Well, according to Askmen.com, quite a bit.
“Unlike a summer fling, a passion-filled romance with someone you just met that only can last for summer time, if you are getting freckled, it's at the hands of someone you already know – or know through friends, or friends of friends,” writes the AskMen.com editors.
Rather than appearing out of nowhere after which disappearing forever, a freckler “is pleased to come from and then return to the periphery of your life, not staying, although not exactly leaving, either, just going dark for the colder months, potentially cuffed with someone else entirely – though only a fool could be surprised to obtain a “wyd?” text from their store next Memorial Day weekend.”
In other words, such as the freckles that start to make their appearance on our bodies come summer only to fade in to the distance when the colder weather returns, a “freckler” is fickle by nature. As AskMen.com explains, “Your skin might be clear as day from November right through to March, but when you begin spending additional time under the sun, boom, a star map of little dots constellates across your face, only to fade when fall appears.”
There are a couple causes of this. First of all, the summer time is a period when our senses come to life. Individuals are wearing fewer articles of clothing and romance (or at least, steamy makeouts) is incorporated in the air. Online dating data supports this. Dating platform Zoosk combed through data from it's 40 million users and located that July and August would be the second most popular times to satisfy people online. Additionally they found that women are more likely to subscribe to internet dating sites and react to messages close to the end from the summer (perhaps, because their “freckler” has bid them adieu).
So, how do you know if the person you're dating is the real deal or you're just being freckled? Unfortunately, there's no exact science. With that in mind, somebody that is serious about dating you long term can make an item of including you in life (whatever the weather or season!)
Have you met any one of their good friends or family? They have invited you to an event that's taking place a couple of months in the future (ie. after Labor Day)? Will they set one-on-one plans along with you that doesn't seem like “so, maybe we can hang later after I return out of this thing I will.”
If you're not able to answer an enthusiastic “yes” to any of those questions (and no “kinda, maybe” doesn't count) then there's a chance you might be dealing with a freckler. But don't fret — freckling relationships can nonetheless be an enjoyable experience. Reside in the moment and relish the ride. If everything doesn't end up receiving serious by the end of the summer, almost always there is cuffing season.
Unlike a summer fling, a passion-filled romance with someone you simply met that only can last for summer time, if you are getting freckled, it's at the hands of someone you know – or know through friends or friends of friends.
Who hasn’t heard of the infamous summer fling?