So you caught the ick… now what?

We’ve all been there. One minute, you’re vibing with someone over a shared love of croissants and chaotic astrology memes. The next, they pronounce “salmon” with the L, and suddenly your romantic interest flatlines. Welcome to the infamous “ick”, that cringe-inducing moment that turns attraction into aversion faster than you can say, "It’s not you, it’s your open-mouth chewing."

But here’s the twist for 2025: more and more singles are deciding not to run at the first sign of an ick. In fact, they're leaning in. Why? Because dating is shifting, and what used to be a red flag is sometimes just… a yellow post-it of personality.

The rebrand of the ick

Historically, the ick has been the ultimate dealbreaker, the emotionally nuclear response to small quirks that, once noticed, can’t be unseen. It was the subject of memes, viral TikToks, and group chat roasts.

But in a post-pandemic dating world, with apps like Couple.com encouraging intentional matches and authentic connections, there’s a noticeable cultural pivot: icks are being demoted from disqualifiers to discussion points.

Therapists and dating coaches call it “reframing.” Instead of treating every off-putting moment as a reason to ghost, daters are pausing to ask: Is this a genuine incompatibility, or just a personal quirk I’m overreacting to because I’m lowkey terrified of intimacy? Oof. That hits.

Why singles are sticking around

Emotional maturity is trending
People are dating with more self-awareness and empathy. That includes realizing we all have quirks. You don’t want to be judged for your six pillows or the fact you listen to true crime to fall asleep, right?


Perfection is a myth (and a filter)
In a world where everyone is curating themselves online, seeing the messy human side of someone can feel weirdly… refreshing. That bad pun he made? Maybe it's just a nervous tic. That weird laugh? Could grow on you. (Or at least become part of a cute inside joke.)


We’ve all gotten humbled
Let’s be real, the dating pool isn’t what it was five years ago. The pandemic made people reassess priorities. Now, kindness, emotional availability, and consistency are hotter than abs and a killer Hinge profile. And if someone checks the big boxes, you might be willing to overlook the fact that they say “expresso.”

How to know if your ick is a dealbreaker

Let’s not pretend every ick deserves redemption. If someone is rude to servers, ignores boundaries, or “doesn’t believe in therapy,” then yes, go forth and block with pride.

But if your ick is more along the lines of "he still uses a wallet chain" or "she eats pizza with a fork," maybe give it one more date. Ask yourself: does this affect how they treat you? Does it impact your shared values? If not, you might just be filtering out someone great for the wrong reasons.

Second chances = smarter dating

More than ever, people are realizing that real connection requires a bit of grace. That initial ick might soften with context, or even become endearing. Hey, maybe you’ll start saying “expresso” too. (Kidding. Please don’t.)

Dating apps like Couple.com are seeing users spend more time getting to know matches and being upfront about what they’re looking for. It’s less swipe, more substance. And in that kind of environment, giving someone a second chance feels less like settling and more like... maturity.

Your turn

Have you ever overcome an ick and ended up falling for someone? Or did giving a second chance totally backfire? We want to hear your dating war stories and second-chance wins. Email us at editor@team.couple.com and you might be featured in an upcoming post.

Keep it kind, keep it curious, and maybe give that ick one more date.