dating – Page 2 – Topical Fruit

“Honey” Is No Longer the #1 Pet Name Couples Use

If you still call your significant other “Honey,” there’s a decent chance you also keep a landline and refer to texting as “sending a message.”

A new nationwide poll by YouGov reveals that while “Honey” is still sticking around, it’s being abandoned by younger generations.

The most popular pet name in America is “Babe”

That’s according to a survey of more than 25,000 adults across the country. Yes, “Honey” is still in the mix, but it’s definitely skewing older.

Here’s how the top five nicknames couples use for each other stack up these days:

Babe – Used by 20% of Americans, but especially popular among younger adults. Only 10% of seniors have adopted it.
Honey – Still beloved by 13%, but mostly by folks over 65. Just 6% of Gen Z use it, compared to a whopping 22% of seniors.
Baby – Sitting at 10% overall, it’s actually the top pet name among Gen Z with 15%.
Sweetheart – Used by 6%, and once again, it’s the older crowd keeping this one alive.
Love – Also 6%. Apparently, we’ve got a few Americans channeling their inner Brit.

Other pet names couples use

If your preferred pet name is even more niche, 2% of people use Dear, Boo, Bae, or Darling. Meanwhile, the truly dedicated 1% are still out here calling their partners Angel, Sugar, or Pumpkin.

Interestingly, the poll found that half of all couples regularly use pet names, but not everyone’s on board. 10% said they’d prefer if their partner didn’t use them at all.

So, if your significant other throws out a “Hey, Pumpkin” and you flinch? You’re not alone.

Bottom line: pet names are still alive and well, but like fashion trends and social media platforms, they change with the times. If you’re still saying “Sweetie Pie,” it might be time to upgrade. Or, just double down and say it louder.

Disney Adults, Rejoice: A Dating App Just for You

Mickey should get ordained online now, because he’s about to get a lot of requests to officiate. Dust off those Mickey ears and polish that spirit jersey, because a dating app for Disney adults is actually happening.

It’s called Single Riders, and the beta drops later this year. Yes, soon you’ll be able to swipe right on someone who also thinks $8 churros are a core memory.

A jilted Disney superfan came up with it while drunk.

The whole thing was dreamed up by a Disney fan in Orlando. Two years ago, he got stood up on a date, went to a Disney World bar to drown his sorrows, and somewhere between cocktails and fireworks decided the world needed a way for likeminded Disney fanatics to connect.

It took him a while to find a coder willing to build the pixie‑dusted version of Tinder he envisioned. But he finally did, and now they’re looking for beta testers.

Not just for dating.

He says it’s not just intended for romance. He hopes people also use it to make friends. So if you’ve been frequenting Disney parks solo and just want something platonic, you’ll have a way to connect with other people who enjoy spending multiple days a year in the Happiest Place on Earth.

Finding your soulmate at Disney.

He asked people for features they want the app to have. An early suggestion gaining traction is a feature that lets you see if other Single Riders are in the park in real time, so you can instantly meet up, split a turkey leg, and see if sparks fly before the next parade.

Not just for Disney adults.

It’s technically meant for “theme park enthusiasts.” So, we may also see love connections made via mutual love for spots like Universal Studios, Six Flags, Cedar Point, and Dollywood.

But let’s be real – this is really meant for the people who know the Dapper Dans’ setlist by heart, plan their vacations around EPCOT festivals, and want to propose mid tea cup ride.

@singleridersapp
Disney Adult Dating App: Coming Soon! #distok #single #singlelife #dating #datingtips #datingapps #disneyadult
♬ original sound – Single Riders Dating App

News Chopper Guy Rants About Failed Marriage, Bourbon

Fox 11 helicopter reporter Stu Mendel used his livestream chat like a personal therapy session this weekend while covering the protests in L.A., describing some of the “debacles” he’s had with his personal life. “”I just had a bunch of debacles with my personal life. “Do I get lonely? Of course! But I got cats.” Thanks for (over)sharing, Stu! 👀

https://twitter.com/BranPuffin/status/1933987044277268806

He also channeled Ron Burgundy with this line: “I love bourbon. I do. I do love the bourbon. Love the whiskey, love the bourbon, love the gin. Do love the gin.”

Here’s the full livestream:

One in Six Single People Have Dated an A.I.

Singles are using AI to find love… and sometimes to even be in love. According to Match’s 14th Annual Singles in America report, nearly one in six single people have dated an A.I. (Kinda…)

One in four singles say they’ve used A.I. to help with dating, a massive 333% jump from last year.

The report found a surprising number of singles are bringing artificial intelligence into the dating world.

So how exactly are people using A.I. to boost their love lives? Some are letting it help write dating profiles or come up with clever openers. Others are even using it to screen for compatibility–basically letting AI swipe left or right for them.

26% of singles overall admit to using A.I. to help with dating in one way or another, with Gen Z leading the charge.

49% of Gen Z singles have tried A.I.-assisted dating.

Yep, half of young singles are now leaning on A.I. to help them track down their soulmate. Just meeting up and seeing if you have chemistry doesn’t cut it anymore.

But here’s where it really gets weird. A surprising number of single people have also used A.I. as a sort of fill-in while they keep looking for Mr. or Mrs. Right.

One in six singles have used A.I. as a “romantic companion.”

You read that right. 16% of singles say they’ve interacted with A.I. as a romantic companion before. The poll described it as using A.I. for “companionship or emotional support” that a romantic partner would normally provide. (Translation: lots of people have already tried out robot boyfriends or girlfriends, or at least dipped their toe into that world.)

It’s not just a Gen Z thing.

Around a third of Gen Z singles say they’ve experimented romantically with A.I., but so have a quarter of Millennial singles. So whether it’s loneliness, curiosity, or just testing out the tech, it’s clear people are getting more comfortable with blurring the line between real and virtual romance.

Does dating an A.I. mean you’re already taken? (Asking for a friend.)

If you’re dating a robot and a warm-blooded human shows up, maybe opt for the human. But Match asked, and the answer is yes. Many people feel that dating an A.I. would count as “cheating” these days.

40% said having an A.I. boyfriend or girlfriend would be cheating. (We assume that’s emotional cheating. If it’s physical too… please wipe down your keyboard.)

If you find all this a little unnerving, you’re not alone.

As A.I. tools get smarter and more customized, the world of dating could see an even bigger tech upgrade whether we’re ready for it or not. But no matter what, one thing’s clear: A.I. isn’t just writing emails and grocery lists anymore. It’s also playing Cupid.

If you thought ghosting was complicated, just wait until A.I. sends you a break-up text.

A Dating App Trying to Filter Out Short Kings

Well, good news: Tinder just made it easier to get rejected before your first awkward “Hey :)”.

Tinder is once again tweaking how people connect, and this time, it’s about height. The dating app has begun testing a new filter that allows paid users to narrow their matches based on how tall someone says they are.

This isn’t a verification tool. Users can still self-report their height (truthfully or generously), but now those who care—like women who prefer taller men, or men looking to filter for shorter women—can fine-tune their preferences. And yes, tall women and short kings can do the same.

Unsurprisingly, the internet had thoughts. Some users, especially shorter men, were quick to call out the double standards.

One popular comment read, “Justice for all us short kings!” while another asked why women can filter by height without backlash, but men are criticized for having physical preferences.

A few even suggested a hypothetical weight filter.

Tinder, for its part, says the filter is part of a broader move to help users connect “more intentionally.” At this stage, it’s not a “hard filter” that actually blocks profiles. It just nudges the algorithm to prioritize certain heights, and only for those paying for Tinder’s top-tier Platinum subscription (which starts at $40/month).

It’s worth noting: this isn’t entirely new. Hinge—also owned by Match Group—already allows paid users to filter by height.

There is some “good news” if you’re under 5’8″ and feeling targeted: It’s probably saving YOUR time to be filtered out early than to be matched with someone who’s measuring compatibility by inches.

Oddball Anniversaries Are the Hot Relationship Trend

Who says anniversaries have to be tied to weddings or going steady?

A growing relationship trend is encouraging couples to celebrate what are being called “arbitrary-versaries” — offbeat, personal milestones that mark the quirky, real-life moments in a relationship.

What’s an “arbitrary-versary”?

The idea was originally floated in 2021, but it’s picking up steam now thanks to a recent PopSugar article that gave it a modern, fun spin. The concept? Mark the unusual, random, or downright ridiculous milestones that only the two of you would find meaningful.

Things like the first time you slid into their DMs, the first time you saw each other naked, or even just that first grilled cheese they made you that was sooooo good.

Yes, really. It can be anything.

While the term “arbitrary-versary” is a bit of a mouthful, the sentiment behind it is easy to get behind: creating more reasons to pause, reflect, and appreciate the shared experience of being weird together.

Other suggestions from PopSugar include sweet or sentimental moments — like the day you realized you had a crush on them, the day you realized you had the same favorite movie, or the first trip you took together.

But why would we need one? We have a real anniversary.

It might sound like something only unwed folks in their 20’s would do, but people of all ages can get in on it. Even if you’ve been married for a decade, it’s a playful way to re-inject some joy and spontaneity into your routine.

Relationship experts say these kinds of fun rituals help strengthen emotional bonds and keep the spark alive. It’s less about the calendar and more about the connection.

So if you’ve been feeling like your relationship could use a dose of fun or gratitude, maybe don’t wait for your next big anniversary. Just celebrate the day you made each other laugh until you cried… or that infamous fart in the car that changed everything.

Let love — and your imagination — be your guide.