Survey: “Performance Phobia” Among Gen Z Daters in India

A recent study by dating app QuackQuack indicates that many young users in India are becoming wary of what they perceive as performative behavior in potential matches.

The survey of 10,384 active daters aged 22 to 35, conducted between April and June, found that a significant portion of respondents are cautious about interactions that feel scripted or overly polished. Over 55% of participants reported paying close attention to how matches handled past relationships, focusing on emotional patterns rather than the number of exes.

Women over 25 showed particular sensitivity to performative traits. Thirty-eight percent highlighted concerns about matches adopting personalities inspired by social media relationship content. Respondents described situations where initial charm and rehearsed behaviors gave way to different personalities later, leading to disappointment and trust issues.

One common complaint involved “customer service romance,” with 36% of users from Tier 1 and 2 cities feeling uncomfortable when conversations resembled professional hospitality rather than genuine chemistry. Many noted that interactions followed predictable patterns that lacked spontaneity.

Another trend identified was wariness of “rehearsed vulnerability.” Nine in ten daters expressed skepticism when matches shared deeply personal stories very early, especially when delivered with polished storytelling. While emotional openness is valued, excessive articulation raised doubts about authenticity.

Twenty-nine percent of respondents mentioned concerns about partners behaving differently in public versus private settings. The fear of committing to someone who performs for an audience was cited as a reason for heightened awareness of performative behavior.

The findings suggest a shift in how younger daters evaluate compatibility. Rather than focusing solely on surface-level attributes, many are looking for consistency between online presentation and real behavior. This “performance phobia” may reflect broader fatigue with curated online personas and a desire for more authentic connections – users are worried about matching with partners who are simply putting on an act or can’t be trusted to be their entirely authentic self.