Are you fully engrossed in meme culture? Do you experience things and think to yourself that you know the perfect meme to describe just how you feel? What about sharing memes with others? There’s nothing quite like that mutual connection you have with someone when you send them a meme and you both just “get it”. You can use memes to make a political point and bond over shared experiences. Memes even play a powerful role in dating culture.
Skeptical? It’s true! Memes are integrated into human relationships of all kinds, even romantic ones. Here we’ll explore the influential role of the meme as it relates to dating. This includes where it acts as an asset and where it does harm.
Memes: A Broad Definition
An internet meme is a visual that is shared online to communicate a feeling or represent a relatable experience. If that seems very broad, that’s because it is. Search for memes online and you are going to find an extensive range of images and formats. A meme may or may not have text. It could be a single panel or multiple images.
They have even inspired a language of sorts. In fact, there are some words and phrases that have become so closely associated with memes that just using them evoke that memory. It could even be argued that other content such as videos or copy pastes fall under the meme umbrella when they become widely familiar and consistently used to communicate the same things.
How a Meme Can Change Your Perspective on Romance
The good news is that “wholesome” memes can give you a brighter view of the world in general, and they can make you feel more hopeful about romance. However, not all memes are like that. Many are intelligent, pointedly funny, sarcastic, and even a bit nihilistic. These can lead to cynicism and bitterness that can impact your approach to romance.
Should you stop consuming these memes? Of course not! They are hilarious and often make a great point. Just don’t let this steer you into taking a negative view of love and romance.
Using It to Share Emotions
TFW (that feel when/that feeling when) is a phrase that is found in many memes. It’s used to refer to things we all feel and experience. Even the alternative “that face when” refers to an expression that comes from feeling something that we’ve all experienced.
It isn’t always easy to share emotions in romantic and sexual situations. You may feel vulnerable in these situations. That’s understandable. It’s also a key reason why people lean into memes as a way to tell the people they are dating just how they feel.
Also, this is more than a way to share your feelings of love and affection. It’s also difficult to share negative emotions. So, they are there for people to package up their hurt feelings, sadness, or frustration to share with their partners. It’s intended to lighten the blow and avoid conflict. After all, it isn’t mean or aggressive. Is it? After all, it’s a meme.
Making Connections with Memes
Do you know what it’s like to share a knowing look with somebody? There’s that moment when you both notice something or experience the same emotion at once. That experience is very welcoming because it creates a feeling of connection. Whether it’s shared affection, understanding the experiences of your generation, being part of the same fandom, or simply bonding over one of life’s frustrations, you can make connections with memes. In dating, you might use memes to find and celebrate what you have in common with the other person.
Memes and Dating Trends
Life inspires memes. In turn, it can inspire certain behaviors, attitudes, and activities. Here’s an example. Not long ago, there were several memes that subtly cast aspersions on women who were interested in dating experiences that involved eating out at nice restaurants, going to clubs, or otherwise spending money. These memes usually pictured something simple such as a bouquet of flowers or an outdoor picnic. The text asked something like, “Would your girl appreciate this?” or “Find a woman who would love this!”
Memes like this fed into the tradcore dating phenomenon. Women also felt encouraged to prove they weren’t gold diggers. This shows how memes can shape how people behave in dating relationships, particularly when they believe they won’t be viewed as worthy otherwise.
When Memes Are Harmful to Dating Relationships
A great meme can be a conversation starter. It can be a way to memorialize a shared experience, or simply have a laugh with the person you are dating. You can even use memes to share how you feel in a way that feels safe. Unfortunately, the way that people use memes is often destructive to their close personal relationships.
First, it can be passive-aggressive. They can deliver a very biting message. Then, the person responsible for the message can deflect. It’s just a meme! Can’t you take a joke? Also, not everybody understands the same meme interprets them in the same way. That can lead to confusion and awkward conversations. This can be particularly damaging if you have just met someone or if you are trying to communicate through a dating app such as https://hily.com/international-dating/.
Also, sometimes there is no substitute for original, sincerely written or spoken words. A meme just seems lazy and uncaring in those moments.
Tips on Using Memes in Dating and Romance
Memes have become something of a language of their own. Used carefully, they certainly have a place in dating and romance. These tips will help you ensure that sharing memes strengthens your bond rather than creating division.
- Don’t use them to show superiority: A meme is something to share and enjoy together, not something you use to show you are smarter or more aware of something.
- Don’t share a meme when you are genuinely hurt or angry. The other person may not get the message you intended to communicate.
- Learn what memes your partner enjoys.
- Be creative! Create a funny or sweet meme that reflects your relationship
- Show appreciation for the memes they share too!
Conclusion
Finally, think of memes as a gift. They are something to share and enjoy together. However, they are no substitute for being authentic and investing in a better relationship.