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Unlike the abrupt and unmistakable nature of ghosting, Banksying is a dating trend that describes a slow, emotionally manipulative way of ending a relationship.
Inspired by the elusive street artist Banksy, Banksying refers to when someone starts emotionally checking out of a relationship long before ending it.
Healthy communication and accountability in relationships are on a steep decline, thanks in part to the rise of dating apps. The world of modern romance is now dominated by fast-paced swipes, instant gratification, and fleeting connections. With strange dating trends constantly coming and going, Gen Z and millennials are experiencing love like never before—complicated, confusing, and often chaotic.
And just when you thought modern dating couldn’t get any messier, a new term has entered the Gen Z dating dictionary — Banksying. Move over ghosting, breadcrumbing, and situationships. Inspired by the elusive street artist Banksy, Banksying refers to when someone starts emotionally checking out of a relationship long before ending it, slowly distancing themselves in subtle ways while still technically being “present.”
Still scratching your head? Let’s break down what Banksying really means and why it’s quickly becoming the most talked-about breakup trend in the digital age.
What Is Banksying?
Unlike the abrupt and unmistakable nature of ghosting, Banksying is a dating trend that describes a slow, emotionally manipulative way of ending a relationship. It is similar to ghosting, but it happens more gradually, with one partner emotionally distancing themselves without ever having a direct conversation about ending the relationship.
Instead of a single, sudden break-off, the individual gradually reduces affection, communication, and emotional presence over a period of months to a year-while acting as though nothing is wrong until the ultimate separation.
This leads the other partner through a toxic cycle of constant emotional withdrawal, and they are left wondering in the dark about what went wrong. Dr Pavitra Shankar, Associate Consultant- Psychiatry at Aakash Healthcare, explains that the psychological impact on the partner can be significant and long-lasting.
“This can erode self-esteem and trigger abandonment wounds, especially in individuals with insecure attachment styles. It can also induce anxiety in future relationships, as the person becomes hypervigilant about emotional shifts, fearing repeat withdrawal,” Dr Shankar was quoted as saying by the Hindustan Times.
What to do?
If you want to know if your partner is slowly detaching themselves or emotionally pulling away from their feelings, here are some potential signs to look out for:
- Replies become more minimal, with one-word answers and delayed responses becoming the norm.
- Your partner is not sharing things or incidents with you as much as before.
- They create trivial issues and make you feel that you are not contributing to the relationship.
- Compliments, physical intimacy, and emotional connection feel forced or become noticeably absent.
- If you sense a shift in their behaviour or have a feeling of your partner being present but not truly there emotionally, then it could be a sign of Banksying.
- It is recommended to have an open conversation with your partner to seek clarification.
- Honest and direct communication, even when difficult, is crucial for avoiding prolonged pain and confusion.
About the Author
Nishad Thaivalappil is a Lifestyle and Entertainment Journalist with almost a decade-long odyssey in the realms of movies, music, culture, food, and travel. He leads the Lifestyle desk at News18.com. Besides ha…Read More
Nishad Thaivalappil is a Lifestyle and Entertainment Journalist with almost a decade-long odyssey in the realms of movies, music, culture, food, and travel. He leads the Lifestyle desk at News18.com. Besides ha… Read More
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