Has ‘Netflix and Chill’ tarnished modern dating?

Did you know that ‘Netflix and Chill’ has ruined dating? Did you know that it is the reason our generation hates emotional attachment? Of course you don’t know this, because this just isn’t the case.

If you were wanting me to damn ‘Netflix and Chill’ as a horrendous practice killing modern dating, than you’ll be disappointed. The concept has increasingly become a polite way of saying: “Let’s have mutually unsatisfying sex.”. Many people, myself included, have messaged this awkward phrase to someone else with the sole intention of having sex, and I think this is absolutely fine. There is nothing wrong with this so-called ‘hook-up culture’, despite newspapers being so keen to tell us is ruining our morality. Being confident in your own sexuality is not only healthy, it’s empowering.

However, I do also believe that ‘Netflix and Chill’ can be an actual date. It might sound completely abhorrent to some of you but, honestly, what is wrong with just hanging out and watching a few movies? It’s actually a great way to get to know someone properly. Sitting on a sofa or bed, watching some awful Netflix Original Films and having a laugh is a really relaxed way to spend time with someone. Obviously, an added bonus is that it’s cheaper than a restaurant or a trip to the cinema. However, if you are actually interested in getting to know someone for reasons other than casual sex, I wouldn’t recommend asking someone to ‘Netflix and Chill’ on a first date. Because of its affiliation with casual sex, it will definitely give the wrong impression.

It’s all about context. Someone you have been on a few coffee dates with and is already your new best friend on Snapchat is probably going to be emotionally invested in you. The offer of ‘Netflix and Chill’ could genuinely just be that: hanging out and watching movies. Of course there’s no guarantee of this but it is largely down to your judgement of the person asking. If someone else – the kind of person who likes all your Instagram posts but doesn’t speak to you at the bus stop – messages you late at night asking for the same thing, don’t kid yourself. You know exactly what they want, and it is not a Nicolas Cage marathon.  

‘Netflix and Chill’ isn’t killing the concept of dating: if anything its added new date potential for those people romantically pursuing each other. Maybe some believe it is killing dating because others are not being upfront about their intentions. If you mean ‘casual sex’ don’t say ‘Netflix and Chill.’ Say ‘casual sex.’ No one is paying you to be slippery with your words so why the hell would you do it? It’s a bit blunt, but saves you so much time. Time you could spend watching Netflix.