Next time you’re on a first date, don’t worry about lifestyle compatibility, mutual life goals, or shared values. Just vibe. (At least, that’s what the latest and lamest dating trend is asking of you.)“Vibe dating” is apparently the new answer to all your romantic woes today. Instead of taking the time to build a genuine connection with someone who shares your morals and dreams, daters are being lured by strong, shared energy. In other words, they’re prioritizing chemistry over compatibility. I think we all know how those types of relationships end. What Is ‘Vibe Dating’?If you ask me what “vibe dating” is all about, I’d say it’s another excuse to avoid commitment while quoting “bad vibes” any time conflict arises. However, on a more technical level, it’s essentially dating with zero intentions other than “vibing” with another person. If a connection clicks, it clicks. If not, why waste your time giving it a full chance?“Basing attraction on energy isn’t new—it’s biological,” says Melissa Fabello, PhD, and Relationship Expert. “Our chemistry ‘picker’ evolved long before our dating apps did.”Now, I don’t necessarily hate the entire concept of vibe dating—if done so with care and respect for others. The premise is to find someone you emotionally align with. And hey, you can tell a lot about a person by the energy they give off. It’s better than dating someone strictly based on their appearance, right?But basing an entire relationship on vibes alone is a recipe for disaster—especially if you’re “picker” tends to be off.“A spark can signal sexual compatibility, but it’s not always a marker for emotional safety or long-term success,” Fabello says. “In many relationships, real chemistry grows later.”The Dark Side of ‘Vibe Dating’Investing in someone simply because you “vibe well” with them shouldn’t be enough reason to commit. Other factors, like compatibility, empathy, and emotional intelligence, are crucial to a healthy relationship. “Paying attention to someone’s vibe is a good way to see if their energy aligns with yours, but it shouldn’t be the only factor,” says Angelika Koch, Relationship and Breakup Expert at Taimi. Not to mention, trauma and emotional patterns can blur the lines. For example, maybe you grew up in an overbearing, emotionally abusive household. In which case, a controlling, domineering partner might feel safe simply because it’s familiar. “People often ignore red flags because someone’s charisma feels magnetic,” Koch adds. “Even narcissists can come across as having ‘good vibes’ at first. Chemistry matters, but so does compatibility.”How to Succeed When Vibe DatingAs I said before, the concept of vibe dating isn’t…terrible, especially when compared to some of the other toxic dating trends out there. It has its positive features, like energetic comfort and chemistry. But it can’t be the only factor to consider when choosing a partner.If you let “vibes” dictate your dating decisions, you will likely set yourself up for failure. “I think it’s important to take a dual-pronged approach to dating: Does this person make me feel excited? And does this person make sense on paper?” says Fabello. “If you have one, but not the other, it’s unlikely that the relationship will last long-term. But when you have both—a relationship that is based on both chemistry and compatibility—that’s a really good sign!”The post ‘Vibe Dating’ Is Gen Z’s New Compatibility Test. Does It Actually Work? appeared first on VICE.