Curving is the newest brutal dating trend and honestly, it kind of sounds like a nightmare

We've seen bread crumbing, benching, freckling, r-bombing and fishing cause heartbreak throughout the dating world.

And just when we thought it couldn't get any worse, it turns out there's a new trend that singletons need to keep an eye out for.

In fact, it's one you may have already experienced: curving.

According to The Independent , the behaviour is so subtle that most people don't even realise it has happened to them. Rather than full-on ghosting, people who are guilty of curving will still reply to WhatsApp messages - but their replies will be sporadic, and may take days or weeks. And when they do reply, it will often be something apologetic like: "I'm so sorry for the delay, I've been really busy". Granted, everyone has busy days where they may actually not have the time to text - but curving is when the behaviour starts to become more of a habit. Another form of curving is when someone makes plans to spend time with you, before canceling at the last minute and making a vague promise to do something "soon". Dating coach James Preece told The Independent:

“Curving is certainly a major problem that many of my dating coaching clients experience. “Deep down, they know that the other person isn't that interested but they still hold out hope.  They convince themselves that they are just having a bad day/week/month. If they can say the right thing they'll magically become keen again.

“They don't want to talk to them but they don't know how to end it. It's easier to have short, boring interactions rather than directly state they don't want to see them.  This is a lack of respect and only leaves the other person feeling sad and confused.”