Relationship Experts Tell Us How To Navigate Cuffing Season

To say that the world was rendered different by the pandemic would be the understatement of the century. Routines, ideologies, perspectives towards life — a lot changed at the fundamental level. And so did our approach toward relationships, to a great degree. In fact, The Washington Post reported that Google searches around "how to date" were at a record-breaking high as restrictions eased up and people returned to offline meetings. 

The dating pool is bound to comprise a mix of people with varying opinions on vaccinations, masks, social distancing norms, and testing regulations. Now that we live in a society polarized on more issues than before, many of us would prefer to have a partner whose worldview isn't too radically separate from our own. Patrick Wanis suggests, "When looking for a cuffing partner, look for someone whose values are generally in alignment with yours." 

A cuffing season relationship might only last so long, and that's enough reason for us to ensure that it progresses smoothly and we enjoy it without introducing needless friction in the middle of the season. Since our expectations are higher from each other in a post-pandemic world, according to Wanis, potential couples should always lay out their cards about their individual belief systems before embarking on a relationship. "In having that conversation, you can find someone that is more in alignment with your values and with the things that you want in life," he says.