As temperatures drop and the leaves start to fall, single students begin to look for someone to cozy up to during the holiday season.
Whether it’s to keep warm during the winter months or to have someone to bring home to a prying relative during Christmas, the phrase “cuffing season” is taking social media by storm.
According to the Independent, cuffing season is the time during the winter months where single individuals, who usually enjoy being single, actively look for a relationship. To be “cuffed” is synonymous with being “tied down” or in a relationship.
Cuffing season applications made rounds on popular social media platforms consisting of fill in the blank, yes/no questions and checklists with various options. Other users posted their own cuffing season resumes with a quick selfie.
Christopher Hollowell, a sophomore biology major from Castle Rock, said he has seen social media filled with the joking “cuddle buddy” applications and cuffing season resumes, and though most of the time he has seen it as a joke, he doesn’t think it’s a waste of time.
“I think as long as you are honest about what you are wanting with the relationship and don’t lead anyone on, it is not a waste of time,” Hollowell said. “As long as two people are enjoying themselves then it can’t be a waste.”
On the other hand, Masozera Uwase Ornella, a freshman psychology major from Nyarugenge, Rwanda, said the temporary nature of the arrangement can come across as underhanded to some.
“I think it shows people how they can be used and then thrown away,” Masozera said. “It’s almost like you serve your purpose and then [there’s] nothing left to do.”
Gabby Benson, a senior communication major from Murray, said she doesn’t feel like the cuffing season ideology is overall either positive or negative, but it’s simply unappealing.
“Being ‘cuffed’ in a relationship sounds unsettling, but I see why people are O.K. with it for the most part,” Benson said. “No one wants to be alone; however, I’d like to know that I’d be dating a person because they liked me for me not because they were lonely.”
Benson said she hasn’t seen the hashtag, applications or resumes as much this year as she has in recent years. She isn’t sure if the once-popular phrase is reaching the end of its era or if cuffing season just isn’t in full swing yet, she said.
Although Hollowell has seen the hashtags and mentions on his social media, he said he will not be participating in the movement, but he can see why so many people do.
“I do see the attraction toward having someone special during these magical months,” Hollowell said. “I feel like everyone wants someone to share [their] time with, either for the long term or just for a couple weeks or months.”