Nonchalance is out, and chalance is in, according to a new dating trend fueled by celebrity role models Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce. The term 'chalant', the opposite of nonchalant, describes a dating attitude where individuals openly express their feelings without fear of appearing too eager.
What Is Chalant Dating?
Logan Ury, director of relationship science at Hinge, reports a 217% increase in searches for 'chalant' on the app last year. She defines it as a positive shift 'towards people feeling comfortable wearing their passion on their sleeve a bit more and just going after something – and not trying to win that battle of who can care less'.
The concept stems from 'unpaired words' like disgruntled, impeccable, and ruthless, which exist only in the negative form. Chalant dating embraces the affirmative, encouraging singles to be open and proactive.
Celebrity Role Models: Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce
Swift and Kelce exemplify chalance. Kelce has joined Swift on stage at her concerts, while Swift is a regular supporter at his Kansas City Chiefs games. Their public displays of affection and mutual support set a new standard for dating.
Matthew Hussey, another dating expert, warns against idealizing celebrity couples, noting that 'in a dating world where it feels like no one's winning, everyone overprotects'. However, he acknowledges the appeal of a more direct approach.
Practical Advice for Chalant Daters
Key tips from experts include abandoning the 'three-day rule' after a first date and being unafraid to express interest. As one Swift lyric goes, 'It's a love story, baby, just say yes.' The trend encourages authenticity over games.
