When compared with other seasons, winter seems to be the most popular for relationships or non-platonic partnerships.
As the cold winds of winter start to roll in and the temperature starts to drop, it seems as if people break into a frenzy to find a partner to raise the heat. Couples seem to spring up out of nowhere, only to last until the frost thaws and buds are once again in bloom.
Cuffing season: Is it out of genuine love and care for another person that these relationships start or is it just a means to stay warm and pass the time during those long, cold nights?
It’s difficult to judge, but when you consider the ratio of relationships that begin in the winter and last past the spring, it’s safe to say that a significant portion of us are doing it just to do it. In all fairness, it is a wonderful thing to have a warm body to cuddle next to for a movie night in or for other, less PG-related activities.
Melissa, a 22 year old from Huntington, NY says “Cuffing exists in the winter time because it’s 10 times more likely that no one will catch you. It’s too cold to be worrying about what other people are doing, even though that’s how it should be all year round.”
However, we should remember that not everyone has the typical cuffing mindset or intentions of having just a short term fling. Feelings are likely to get involved and there’s always the potential for damaging what could have been a very good and healthy friendship or crushing a perfectly good relationship just because there’s a change of season.
At the end of the day, if you’re interested in starting a new relationship – regardless of the season – do it for the right reasons. Honesty with your would-be partner is the first step: Adjust your thermostat if warmth is that big of an issue or spend more time with your friends if company might be a problem, but don’t wrap someone else’s emotions up in your inability to make a serious commitment.
Think about the bigger picture. If you can see the person you’re considering cuffing in it, then by all means, go for it!
If it’s simply a quick fix for a short term problem, then forget it.
In other words: Don’t cuff because it’s cold, cuff because you care.
By: Tiffany Thompson
