Forget candlelit dinners and romantic getaways; the latest dating trend to emerge is 'choremancing' – a portmanteau of 'chore' and 'romance' that involves incorporating everyday tasks into dates. From grocery shopping together to assembling flatpack furniture, proponents argue that this approach offers a practical way to assess long-term compatibility.
The trend gained recognition after dating app Plenty of Fish included it in its annual report last year. Since then, it has reportedly gained considerable traction, with couples opting for gym sessions, gardening projects, and even weekly supermarket runs as opportunities to spend time together. The underlying premise is simple: anyone can be charming over cocktails, but real life is largely made up of mundane responsibilities.
Advocates of choremancing suggest that it serves as the ultimate compatibility test, revealing how a potential partner handles the less glamorous aspects of daily existence. Tasks such as cleaning the oven, doing laundry, or managing household bills can expose habits and attitudes that might otherwise remain hidden during the early stages of a relationship.
However, critics argue that the trend signals a decline in romance, reducing love to a checklist of chores. They contend that the pressure to optimise every aspect of life, including dating, has turned relationships into another box-ticking exercise. Yet supporters counter that, given the amount of time adults spend on housework and admin, it is sensible to ascertain whether a partner is tolerable in these situations.
Whether choremancing is seen as a bleak indictment of modern love or a shrewd way to find a life partner, it undeniably reflects a growing desire for authenticity in relationships. As one observer put it, the logical endpoint of choremancing is married life – so why not start as you mean to go on?
