The wild things people do to get into a relationship

Finding love can make people do some pretty interesting things.

There’s the obvious stuff: updating your wardrobe, getting a fresh haircut, buying a new fragrance and suddenly becoming very interested in the gym.

Then there are the less obvious strategies, like carefully curating your Instagram, pretending you also love hiking because your crush does, or suddenly becoming a regular at the coffee shop you know they visit.

And now, apparently, some people are taking things even further.

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What are the things people do to get into a relationship?

The things people do to get into a relationship can range from harmless self-improvement to some seriously questionable dating hacks.

One of the strangest examples currently doing the rounds online is “pheromone-maxxing”, a trend where some Gen Z men are deliberately skipping showers and deodorant in the hope that their natural body scent will make them more attractive.

The theory is that washing away your natural smell could also remove the mysterious chemical signals that supposedly help with attraction.

There’s just one problem: the science doesn’t really support the idea that skipping showers is some secret weapon for finding love. Experts say human pheromones remain scientifically unproven, while poor hygiene can encourage bacteria and skin problems.

So perhaps keep the shower.

But people have always changed things for love

Pheromone-maxxing might be new, but the idea of changing yourself to attract someone certainly isn't.

Think about it.

How many people have bought a new outfit because they knew their crush would be there?

How many have spent an hour choosing the “right” profile picture?

How many have asked friends to analyse a WhatsApp message before sending it?

Then there’s the classic: “I don't usually drink cocktails…”

Suddenly you're at a cocktail bar because your potential soulmate is.

There’s nothing necessarily wrong with wanting to put your best foot forward. Dating naturally comes with a little performance. You want to look good, smell good and make a good first impression.

The question is where you draw the line.

Are you attracting someone or creating a character?

There’s a big difference between improving your confidence and completely reinventing yourself for someone else.

Maybe you start exercising because you feel better when you do. Great.

Maybe you discover a new hobby because your partner introduced you to it. Also great.

But pretending to have an entirely different personality just to secure a relationship can become exhausting very quickly.

Research has also suggested that people are often attracted to others who share similar attitudes, values and qualities rather than simply being total opposites.

So perhaps the best dating strategy isn't becoming someone else.

It's finding someone who actually likes you.

Because if getting the relationship requires an entire rebrand, you might eventually have to explain why the person they fell for mysteriously disappeared.

And honestly, no amount of pheromone spray is fixing that.

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