Breadcrumbing is a form of communication commonly seen in online dating. It involves sending out flirtatious, noncommittal messages to potential romantic partners in order to keep them interested without committing to a relationship. It is a form of leading someone on, building their hopes and expectations, without actually making any promises of a future together.
The term breadcrumbing originated from the popular nursery rhyme, “Hansel and Gretel”, in which the two protagonists leave a trail of breadcrumbs to help them find their way home. In the 21st-century version, breadcrumbing is leaving a trail of flirtatious messages or conversations that lead nowhere, often leaving the recipient feeling confused and frustrated. Breadcrumbing can manifest in many different forms. It could involve sending text messages, liking or commenting on social media posts, or sending occasional flirty messages, with no clear intention of ever meeting in person.
It also includes making vague plans that never get fulfilled or getting caught up in a never-ending cycle of messaging back and forth without ever progressing the relationship. The breadcrumber has the benefit of keeping people interested without ever having to make a commitment. The intention behind breadcrumbing could be a variety of things. It could be an attempt to boost the breadcrumber’s self-esteem or keep them in the loop with potential romantic prospects, without actually having to pursue a relationship.
It could also be a way for them to maintain control over the relationship, by keeping the other person guessing and in their power. In some cases, it might even be a way for them to eventually land a date with someone they’re interested in. Whatever the reason behind it, breadcrumbing can be damaging to the recipient, as it builds up their expectations without any real intention of ever fulfilling them. It can also leave the person feeling confused and uncertain, as they don’t know what to make of the ambiguous messages they’re receiving.
On the other hand, it could also be a way for the breadcrumber to stay in contact with someone they’re interested in, without risking their heart by actually trying to pursue a relationship. In order to avoid being taken advantage of, there are a few tips to keep in mind. If you’re the recipient of breadcrumbing, it’s important to keep your expectations realistic and remember that you don’t need to respond to every message you receive.
You also don’t need to stay in contact with someone indefinitely if there’s no real possibility of a relationship developing. If you’re the one doing the breadcrumbing, it’s important to be honest about your intentions and make sure that you’re not leading someone on if there’s no real chance of a relationship developing.
Breadcrumbing can be a confusing form of communication, but with a bit of self-awareness, it’s possible to avoid getting caught up in it.
