WarningDigital Slang
Kittenfishing
/ˈkɪt.n̩.fɪʃ.ɪŋ/
Catfishing's milder cousin: a real but heavily flattering version of yourself online, old photos, an inflated title, a rounded-up height. Coined by Hinge.
Etymology & origin
Coined by the dating app Hinge in 2017 to describe the epidemic of subtle profile embellishments.
✦ Relationship psychology
Rooted in low self-esteem and the fear of rejection. The perpetrator hopes that once they meet you in person, their charm will overshadow the profile discrepancies.
Live texting example
Wait, you said you were 6'2" on your profile, but we are the exact same height and I'm 5'9"...
Oh haha, I must have had boots on when I measured! Or maybe the profile was just an old estimate.
Boundary guide: how to respond
- 1Evaluate if the omission was minor or indicative of deeper dishonesty.
- 2Address it directly but lightly: 'I noticed your profile says you work in finance but you mentioned you're still studying. I value transparency!'
#profile#deception#filters#catfishing
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