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There’s no arguing the dating scene has changed over the years, but it’s starting to sound more like a bad horror movie these days.
From ghosting, to zombieing, to breadcrumbing, it’s safe to say, no one is safe out there!
Now there's a new term that’s taking the dating world by storm – and we’re pretty sure it’s either happened to you before or you’ve done it to someone.
Have you ever heard of being "haunted"?
The practice of "haunting" is nothing new, it’s been around as long as dating has been, but now we have a name for it!
“Haunting” is when an ex uses social media to keep a close eye on you. This includes liking and even commenting on your pics and posts.
Australian sex expert Nikki Goldstein says although its usually confined to online spaces, it can happen in real life as well.
“Haunting comes out in two different ways – when an ex is purposefully popping up in your life or they're looking at your social media,” she said to Daily Mail.
Even though it’s perfectly normal to be curious about what your ex is doing, Goldstein explained that there’s a big difference between visiting their page and actually "haunting" them.
“Haunting is quite a negative word. If you're curious about what they're doing I don't think that's a bad thing,” she said.
“Just being curious doesn't constitute as haunting but liking and commenting as if to say, ‘I know what you're doing’, does.”
She says this behaviour feels invasive and as if the person is taunting you.
Real-life ‘haunting’
When it comes to what’s considered as haunting in real life, it all depends on your interaction with your ex.
“If there's no bad blood and you bump into each other it’s fine, but if you see them and they purposefully ignore you or bring along a new partner to rub it in your face, it's a move to show you they think you're not worth them anymore, it's a spiteful way to get back at somebody.”
So how can you avoid getting haunted?
Goldstein advises that if you start seeing this kind of behaviour with your ex, you should block them online.
“We're empowered through social media. You have a choice. If you don't want to be haunted, you can block them.”
“Take control of your own life, this person is doing these silly little things to get under your skin.”
Have you been haunted or done the haunting? Let us know on our Facebook page
Source: The Sun, Daily Mail, Cosmopolitan, Though Catalogue
