Social media dating trend points to act women no longer accepting

News.com.au

2 days ago

The dating game can be brutal with trends like ghosting and the emphasis on casual relationships amplified — but finally it seems like the bar for the bare minimum has risen.
Women of TikTok have put their partners to the test, asking them a series of statements with the question; 'Is this princess treatment or the bare minimum?'
For context, princess treatment is when a partner does something that a reasonable person would consider above and beyond. While, the bare minimum is the standard and what should be expected in a relationship.
The most telling thing about the trend is exactly what is deemed to be the bare minimum, as for years it was simply replying to a text message before 10pm.
Rosie and Harry, a British content creator couple who moved to Australia, took part in the trend. For every answer Harry got 'wrong', 25-year-old Rosie sprayed her fiance with water.
'Princess treatment or bare minimum — knowing exactly what period products I need from the store without asking me,' Rosie asked.
Harry responded that was the bare minimum. Next, he said washing Rosie's hair in the shower for her seemed like 'princess treatment', to which she agreed.
However, Harry faltered, according to Rosie, when she asked which category it fell under for him to always give her the last bite of his food at the restaurant every time. He dubbed it princess treatment.
He said that Rosie always having access to his phone, not liking other women's photos on social media and offering to take photos of Rosie when they were out were all the bare minimum.
But, what does this mean for Australia's dating scene?
Nicole Colantoni, eHarmony's relationship expert, said that bare minimum behaviour are things like responding to messages, remembering someone's birthday or asking how your partner's day has been.
Meanwhile, she's seen 'Princess Treatment' described as dropping your partner off at work and picking them up every day, driving two suburbs over on a rainy Sunday to pick up a favourite pastry and washing their partner's hair. She said it's a stark reminder that you need to know your partner's expectations and love languages.
'It's a playful yet pointed reminder that things like texting back, remembering your partner's birthday, or making plans in advance aren't 'over the top' — they're just the basics of emotional maturity and care,' she said.
'On the other hand, something like booking a surprise weekend away or tickling your partner to sleep might be considered princess treatment — going that extra mile to really make someone feel special.'
She said it was a signal that we are finally seeing a shift towards more intentional and emotionally intelligent dating.
Ms Colantoni said people are becoming increasingly conscious of what it takes to create a healthy relationship, and people are no longer solely looking at achieving financial security or social status through dating.
So, why are people finally bucking the trend of cool and casual when it comes to dating?
'For one, people are more emotionally aware than ever — we're talking about attachment styles, emotional regulation, love languages, and relationship standards openly on social media,' the relationship expert said.
'There's also this culture of comparison happening, where people are constantly scrolling and comparing their relationships to curated versions of others online, which can blur the lines around what's 'normal' versus what's actually meaningful. I also think the post-pandemic world has sparked a deeper craving for emotional intimacy and effort. People want to feel prioritised, not just partnered.'
She said to ask for more, it's important to know what you need — and then express it clearly and kindly. It's also important to have regular check ins.
'The trend is a reminder that while we think we know what our partner needs, we often don't — and that clear communication is essential. It also reflects how our standards and needs evolve, and how a relationship has to adapt with them,' she said.
'Sometimes, we do want a little extra care or surprise effort — whether or not we call it princess treatment. And that's okay. The real message is that intentional effort matters.'