Breadcrumbing: The Digital Art of Stringing People Along
Navigating the subtle practice of non-committal communication in modern relationships.
Breadcrumbing, an emerging trend in modern communication, has left many confused, hurt, and craving more. This subtle practice involves stringing someone along with small nuggets of communication, never fully committing to a relationship. Today, those crumbs of communication tend to occur online.
A person may respond to an Instagram story, like a Facebook photo, or text a funny meme. They may text back and forth periodically but never seem to agree to plans in person—the connection stalls, unable to evolve into a fulfilling relationship.
The ambiguity of breadcrumbing can be emotionally exhausting for those on the receiving end. Maintaining hope that the relationship will progress, a breadcrumbee may struggle to realize what’s happening or end the relationship.
Although breadcrumbing typically refers to romantic relationships, it can also occur in other personal and professional relationships.
The Numbers Behind Breadcrumbing
A recent Society for the Study of Human Behavior (SSHB) study found that 62% of participants aged 18–35 had experienced breadcrumbing…
