‘Tis the season for cuffing. As school swings into full effect and the nights gets colder, single individuals find themselves desiring a counterpart to share warmth with. For those of you unfamiliar with the seasonal phenomenon of cuffing, urban dictionary describes it as: “During the fall and winter months, people who would normally rather be single or promiscuous find themselves along with the rest of the world desiring to be ‘Cuffed’ or tied down by a serious relationship. The cold weather and prolonged indoor activity causes singles to become lonely and desperate to be cuffed.”
So collegiates, if you’ve noticed the major shift in the dating scene, you’re not crazy. As the leaves fall, and daylight savings time makes it harder than ever to get out of bed, the sweater weather leaves both guys and girls searching for a cuddly buddy to keep warm with during the coldest months.
How to tell it is cuffing season in 3 simple steps:
1. You’re getting asked out on dates and a lot of them – this will usually amount to a “Netflix and chill” because, seriously, who wants to go out when the air is so cold it literally hurts your skin?
2. The “Hey Stranger” text – that guy that you used to “kind of” have a thing with but never gave you the time of day will now be popping up out of nowhere sending you texts and asking to take you out.
3. Old flings and “f*ckboys” all seem to be more open to the idea of exclusivity – at least while the cold weather is around.
So here’s four tips to help you navigate through cuffing season like a pro and, who knows, maybe your winter teddy bear can flourish into the real deal relationship. If this is your goal, collegiates, here’s a video to help.
1. Be picky, be patient. Cuff, don’t get cuffed. Being the “cuffer” and not the “cuffed” puts you in the position to hold all the control. Don’t make the same mistakes you made last year and go for the first tall, dark, and handsome guy that approaches you. Get to know the person first; you’re about to spend the winter keeping each other company, you don’t want to get stuck with all brawn and no brains.
2. Don’t rush things too fast. Remember this is a seasonal phenomenon; the timeline, usually September through March, ensures these “cuffs” are on for a limited time only. So don’t get too attached. Don’t forget for a second that spring break is approaching and so is the dreaded, “Can we talk?”
3. Keep safe. Cuffing season can be a time of heightened intimacy, but don’t be a fool; it may “feel better” but, as Big Sean preaches, “I’m the type to have a bullet proof condom and still gotta pull out”. 18 years of commitment to a person you may not even be a fan of, or worse, infections! We don’t know where they’ve been, so be safe, and wrap it!
4. Don’t be afraid to “un-cuff”. As fun as cuffing season can be, some real feelings can be developed. But don’t be a fool; if he walks like a duck, swims like a duck, and quacks like a duck, he’s probably a duck (feel free to replace “u” with “i”) Don’t be afraid to let go of someone who isn’t giving you the respect you deserve. Friends with benefits can be fun, but when feelings are involved, people can really get hurt. So be smart collegiates, and happy hunting!