Glamboozled Is Possibly The Worst Dating Term To Come From 2023. Here's Why

In this edition of cringe-worthy dating trends that make you want to crawl under a rock and stay there forever, we bring you one of the ultimate letdowns. This dating trend involves glitz, glamour, perfect eyeliner, and pulling out your favorite Chanel lipstick — you know, the one you look so hot in that you only save it for special occasions, and an outfit that most of your friends would label "to die for."

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So, there you are, dressed to the nines, about to walk out the door, and you get a message. At first, you think your date is confirming that they too are about to leave to meet you. But instead, they cancel. Sometimes they give an excuse with so many holes that you know they're lying, while other times they give no answer at all. They can't make it and that's that. If that happens to you, you were just glamboozled.

If you've never heard of the term, then it just might be because you didn't realize there was a word for such behavior. According to a survey by the dating app Plenty of Fish, 58% of daters have been glamboozled. That's a lot of wasted time and energy to get ready for a date, just for it to be canceled.

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Why do people do this? A better question might be why people do any of the toxic things that happen out there in the dating world. So let's break down this doozy of a dating trend.

Why being glamboozled is so awful

Glamboozled is probably, if not definitely, the worst dating trend people are dealing with in 2023. It's not just about getting all gussied up for a date and them canceling. You've also emotionally and mentally prepared for that date and now it's not happening. You've gotten excited and nervous, you may have experienced butterflies and heart palpitations, and now it's all gone. You're not on the date that you expected to be on, you're wearing your "to die for" outfit — but now you're just sitting on the couch, and all the preparation (you might have even shaved your legs for the first time in months!) feels like a waste of energy.

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As much as you feel disappointed, you're also angry. You're angry at your date, yourself, and you're also angry that you shaved your legs because as we all know, that's one of the most annoying tasks out there. It's normal to feel a whole range of emotions. You might even find yourself crying, and that's a very natural response to such a situation. 

Why people glamboozle

As much as being glamboozled is a truly awful smack in the face, if someone bails on you, then you need to realize it's not about you. In some cases, there actually might be a legitimate reason or an emergency. But even if there isn't and you're being ditched at the last minute, that has nothing to do with you, and everything to do with the person you were supposed to meet for the date.

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"It is their detachment to emotional outcomes that is making some people behave the way they do," behavioral scientist Clarissa Silva tells Elite Daily. "They attach to their digital world and persona as a source of support and human interaction. They stand people up because of their fear of abandonment, insecurity, [and] their constant desire and need for reassurance."

That being said, some people enjoy the validation that comes with someone agreeing to go on a date with them, and that validation is all they need. It's not dissimilar to people who collect matches on their dating apps, again to feel validated, but never make a move to chat, to meet, or may not even respond to a match.

How can you avoid being glamboozled

Unfortunately, you can't really avoid being glamboozled. Whether you meet someone via a dating app or in a bar or you've been set up by a friend or family member, there is no guarantee that someone isn't going to bail at the last minute. Sometimes life gets in the way and other times, as Silva points out, it comes down to the insecurity and self-esteem issues of the person who blew us off. None of these reasons are things we can change about someone.

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But while you can't avoid being glamboozled, you can take the high road and manage your emotions. You got all dressed up for a date who canceled? Let it roll off your back. Don't just stay home feeling sorry for yourself. Instead, call up your friends and go out. No one is around? Then go out solo. If you're looking fabulous (albeit bummed by being blown off at the last minute), your self-esteem will catch up with how hot you are and you can actually have a fantastic night out on your own. We may live in a culture that glamorizes being in a couple over being single, but that's not true. Ask anyone — they'll tell you some of their best dates were when they got dressed up and went out on their own. 

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