Are We Finally Done With the “Ick”? Tinder Thinks So.

Once a favorite excuse to ghost someone who clapped when their flight landed or quoted The Office too much, the “ick” is surprisingly losing its grip. Thanks to fresh insights from Tinder, a cultural shift appears to be underway: singles are beginning to treat quirks as charms, not red flags.

According to the research, 67 % of daters aged 18-34 admit they’ve regretted writing someone off too quickly over an ick.
74 % say authenticity is now the most important quality in dating, and 54 % of Gen Z are giving second chances more often than before.

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The oddest thing? Some “icks” once deemed dealbreakers-like messy eating, TikTok slang, or treating LinkedIn like Instagram-are now losing their sting.

In the UK, the data reveals dramatic results. A full 67 % of singles aged 18–34 confessed they’ve abruptly tossed someone from consideration over an ick-only to regret it later. Women were slightly more likely than men to admit this (69 % vs. 64 %).

Meanwhile, 37 % say they’ve given up on having a rigid “ick list” entirely and now celebrate niche hobbies and personality oddballs.
Shockingly, 30 % of Gen Z singles say they’re so over being picky that they’d simply laugh it off if someone gave them the ick. And 59 % claim they’re now more attracted to people who show up unfiltered. Among women, that hunger for realness jumps even more-78 % of women say authenticity tops their dating wish list.

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Which “Icks” Are Dying Off?

Below are the quirks singles say no longer scare them:

• Messy / loud eating – 39 %
• Using TikTok slang in regular convo – 25 %
• Clapping when the plane lands – 23 %
• Pausing shows to comment – 23 %
• Being overly active on social media – 21 %
• Talking about their star sign – 17 %
• Confidently mis-singing lyrics – 16 %
• Treating LinkedIn like Instagram – 15 %
• Emotional-support water bottles – 12 %
• Quoting The Office non-stop – 12 %

All of which suggests today’s singles are more forgiving (or more amused) than ever before.

Online comedic maven and author Grace Campbell has become something of the unofficial executioner of icks. She’s boldly declared them dead-and for good reason. “I think icks served a purpose for a time but it’s good we’re closing the chapter on them. We, as single people, were getting icked out too easily and that was holding us back! Sometimes you have to push past the ick; whether it be someone chewing loudly, wearing ugly shoes, or using the word ‘rad’ unironically, those quirks could be the things that one day excite you.”

Campbell’s cheeky rally cry taps into something bigger than jokes-it’s an invitation to change the way we see imperfections. “We should stop being so scared of giving people the ick. Embrace your weird selves. Add your quirk to your Tinder profile and be proud of it – you never know, you could find true love. Wouldn’t that be rad.”

 

Stats That Say “We’re Changing”

Tinder’s own internal data backs this shift. From September 2024 to August 2025, the frequency of terms like “cringe” (+18 %), “awkward” (+10 %), and “silly” (+7 %) in UK user bios has spiked, signifying that more daters are leaning into self-awareness and authenticity rather than deleting it.

“We’ve all got quirks, but people are becoming more open-minded about what really matters when it comes to connection,” explains Paul C. Brunson, Tinder’s Global Relationships Expert, “We’re seeing a clear shift away from superficial dating – but letting go of the ick doesn’t mean ignoring red flags – it means recognising the difference between a genuine issue and someone simply being themselves.”

How to Ignite Authenticity in Your Profile (Straight From an Expert)

To help singles lean into their quirks rather than hide them, Brunson shares some pro tips:

1. Show off your interests – even the weird ones.
   Love birdwatching? Obsess over a niche reality TV show? Let it live in your profile. If it’s not someone’s thing, it might not be your person anyway.
2. Pick real-life photos over polished illusions.
   Mix candid shots with posed ones. Let your profile look like you-warts, laugh lines, quirks, and all.
3. Speak as you actually speak.
   If you’re witty, clever, or playful, let that tone shine. Don’t force it. Write like you talk.
4. Don’t hide your dealbreakers.
   Know what you won’t tolerate-whether it’s smoking, not loving dogs, or other non-negotiables. State them clearly to weed out misfits early.

So: Is the “Ick” Finally Dead?

Maybe not entirely-but it’s definitely on life support. As singles begin to reprogram what counts as desirable, quirky behaviours that once triggered instant ghosting are now being recast as emotional texture.

Today’s dating playbook is shifting: an era ruled by canned perfection is giving way to one where messy, weird, and awkward aren’t liabilities-they’re what make someone unforgettable.

So go ahead-own your quirks, lean into your oddness, and let your profile be loud about who you are. Because in a world of filters and highlights, weird is the new beautiful.