Like ghosting and gaslighting, breadcrumbing is another trendy English term – and a potentially hurtful manipulation tactic. One safe place to not get manipulated is to try the new slotsgem casino. Find out how to recognize breadcrumbing and how you can protect yourself here.
Online dating has become a common way of getting to know someone. However, it’s hard to tell how serious the other person is. This person may be breadcrumbing you.
We have summarized what it is, why people do it, and signs and tips for avoiding it.
This is breadcrumbing
Breadcrumbing often occurs in online dating but can also happen in traditional dating. The word breadcrumbing originally comes from the English word “breadcrumbs.” The term is based on the fairy tale of Hansel and Gretel, who use a trail of breadcrumbs to leave a trail. In practical terms, breadcrumbing means “leading someone by the nose” or “leaving a trail.” It’s a phenomenon that mainly occurs in online dating but can also occur outside.
Clinical psychologist Gemma Harris explains that breadcrumb involves giving the other person enough attention or affection to keep them interested. However, this is not enough for the other person to feel secure and empowered by the relationship. The breadcrumb mustn’t feel the need to take further, serious steps – they are just happy about the attention.
Sex therapist Chamin Ajjan also says that breadcrumbing gives the other person a sense of what a real connection or relationship could look like – but then leaves them with a “hunger for more.”
Psychologist Harris reports that everyone is susceptible to breadcrumbing to a certain extent. However, people with exceptionally high empathy, low self-esteem, attachment anxiety, or an insecure attachment style may be more susceptible than others. A study also found that people who experience breadcrumbing are more likely to feel dissatisfied with their lives and lonely and helpless.
Why do people engage in breadcrumbing
The reasons for breadcrumbing can range from power to self-protection. In addition to the characteristics of breadcrumbing, it is also interesting to know why people engage in breadcrumbing. There are different reasons a person does it, and several things can influence this.
Harris also comments on this. She says that a person’s low self-esteem can be a factor in why they engage in breadcrumbs. This is because it can give a person power and control.
An insecure attachment style can also contribute. Harris says that people with an avoidant or disorganized attachment style are more prone to breadcrumbs. However, it is often not manipulative but somewhat unintentional with such people. They usually do it as self-protection when closeness and affection become too much for them and make them vulnerable.
In addition, people who are emotionally unavailable due to mental illness or stress can also be susceptible to breadcrumb. This is because it can make them feel more powerful. Sex therapist Ajjan explains that loneliness and insecurity can also lead to breadcrumbing.
8 signs of breadcrumbing
One sign of breadcrumbing can be commenting on posts on social media and then ignoring them. If you’re wondering whether you’ve experienced breadcrumbing yourself, we’ve summarized eight signs of breadcrumbing for you here:
The person flirts with you often but never asks you out or ignores it when you ask.
For example, the person comments on posts or photos of you on social media but ignores your comments or messages.
There may not be any honest conversations. The person mainly communicates with gifs or memes.
The person keeps making promises to meet or date you, but in the end, they never materialize.
Communication with the person is not constant. This means that the person sometimes doesn’t get in touch for days or weeks and then suddenly sends messages again – without any explanation for their absence.
Conversations with the person remain superficial, and they don’t seem interested in you.
As soon as you show less interest, the other person suddenly shows much more interest.
The person may only show physical interest in you.