The term „kittenfishing“ is about people who pretend to be online dating. It is a weakened form of the word „catfishing“. Catfishing is partly about love scammers who assume an entirely false identity. People who engage in kittenfishing do not assume a false identity. They merely try to present themselves in a better light by exaggerating. In this regard, here is more information on how kitten fishing works and much more.
Origin of Kittenfishing at a glance
The origins can be traced back to the dating app Hinge, which first used the term. In 2017, the word first became public. The dating portal hereby wanted to find a word for people who deliberately present themselves better in order to increase the chances of success in dating. The word clearly distinguishes itself from catfishing, which is about faking a false identity. In kittenfishing, the deception is less obvious. It is not the identity itself that is faked, but one’s own achievements or character traits are deliberately overstated.
In the dating world, kitten fishing has now established itself in common parlance. Even though it is a harmless variant of catfishing, there are still dangers that arise from kittenfishing. Therefore, it is advantageous to study the subject in more detail in order to protect oneself from fraudulent or manipulative people. This is because people who are already deceptive about small things can also spread lies about larger matters.
Possible dangers that can arise when dating
People who already lie when getting to know each other can also make false statements in a later relationship. That is why it is important to take the first signs seriously. It can even be a sign that a person is toxic. At the same time, it is important to exercise caution when it comes to pre-judgements. It is important to look at each case individually before drawing conclusions about a person. Some words are used inflationarily on the internet. Therefore, it is important to use terms responsibly.
Not every person who exaggerates profile information is automatically a manipulative person. On the one hand, it is normal to a certain extent to present oneself from one’s best side. Therefore, it can happen in dating that even authentic people pretend. In such cases, it is not a sign of manipulation or toxicity. On the other hand, there are people who deliberately use kitten-fishing to manipulate other singles. Here it is important to distance oneself from such people. Otherwise, it can lead to an unhealthy relationship dynamic based on lies.
But when is a line crossed so that one can speak of a danger? As already mentioned, it is important to examine each individual case. If the exaggerations are minor and occur only occasionally, there is no reason to worry. If, on the other hand, there are continuous false claims and misrepresentations, caution should be exercised. They may then be toxic or narcissistic personalities with limited ability to relate.
Recognising kittenfishing – focus on noteworthiness
There are a variety of ways to recognise kittenfishing. In this way, it is possible to protect oneself from it. One characteristic of kittenfishing is constant exaggeration. Whether it is salary, intelligence or popularity, there are people who deliberately exaggerate their abilities. It is a clear sign of kittenfishing if a person frequently overstates their own abilities.
Additionally, it is helpful to examine the information provided on the online profile. The following questions can be helpful: How recent are the photos? Do the details match reality? Are there contradictory statements? Is there further information on social networks? These and other questions help to detect kittenfishing in online dating.
When meeting in person, it is also possible to check whether there are alarm signs of kittenfishing. Among other things, contradictory statements are a first indication. Excessive self-centredness is a warning sign that should be taken seriously. People who talk exclusively about their successes should be avoided when dating. When getting to know each other, both dating partners should have the opportunity to talk about themselves.
In the end, it is important to listen to your own gut feeling. If you have a bad feeling about a person, it is advisable to find out why. This makes it possible to minimise the dangers of online dating.
How to deal with manipulative people when dating
It is significant to know how to deal with kittenfishing. In this regard, it is possible to approach the person openly about the problem. In doing so, it is important to adopt a matter-of-fact and friendly tone. This gives the person the opportunity to provide an explanation. Alternatively, it is possible to break off contact without going into details. In some cases, breaking off contact is a better option to avoid conflictual situations. This is because some people are not prepared to deal constructively with criticism. This in turn can lead to unpleasant situations.
For dating, having your own standards is crucial. It ensures that one comes across open and friendly dating partners. For this, it is essential to make a list. Along with this, notes can be made to establish one’s standards and ideas. It is significant to adhere to one’s own standards when dating. Has a person deliberately lied while dating? Then it is important to break off contact if one has the standard of not accepting lies.
In the long run, standards help you to meet sincere people who suit you. Toxic or manipulative people are avoided by breaking contact early on.
Conclusion on kitten fishing
Basically, kittenfishing is not a serious deception in online dating. It can happen to anyone to make themselves look better on the internet. After all, online dating is about showing your best side. At the same time, it is important not to ignore the signs. Toxic people can also be behind kittenfishing. Singles should therefore check whether getting to know each other again is advisable.
Especially in online dating, it happens quickly that people embellish data. Old photos or edited pictures are uploaded that distort reality. It pays to take a second look at profiles to check other singles for authenticity. A healthy amount of scepticism is a guarantee for more security when getting to know each other. In this way, the search for a partner can be made efficient.