Psychologists who have gone through the ‘ick’ threads on X are convinced that the three-letter word is ruining the Gen Z dating experience. We have a whole list of icks that can write you off—and don’t expect us to be “reasonable”. A guy wearing ankle socks with sandals deserves no sympathy.
Do you know why Colin never grew on true Bridgerton fans? It’s because he gave us the ick pretty early on, and we never recovered. The way he flirts, walks, smiles, and even breathes—everything about him is just downright icky. His brothers in the real world are all over Tinder, Bumble, Hinge, often clueless as to why girls swipe left on them. It’s usually because of their obnoxious selfie poses with squinty eyes and pouty lips. Ugh, only Karan Johar can pull off that look.
The ick list on my notes app is a pretty mild one. At the top are guys who barf at the dinner table and sneeze louder than the fire alarm. Then there are those who wear backpacks, and skinny jeans. Oh, and the ones who quote Dostoevsky, send cringe reels, and sleep with just one flat pillow on their bed. Vegetarians making a face at my prawn tempura order. Masticating maniacs. Straight men posting pictures with female friends on dating apps. People who enjoy pulpy orange drinks. Guys who vape, and talk in a condescending tone. And, nothing makes my stomach churn more than a man flaunting his post-gym chest pump on Instagram stories. And don’t get me started on guys who say they are into “feminist girls”.
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Cringe to turn-off
Depending on your tolerance level, not every ick is a turn-off or a deal breaker. It’s a cringe pile you’re allowed to add to until the final ick gets the potential partner fired from your dating roster—or at least puts them on probation. A harmless ick—a man who carries a water bottle everywhere like a sixth grader—just gets a wrinkled nose. A bigger one—a mansplainer—might warrant ghosting.
Can you blame us for not falling in love with men who haven’t cut their toenails since their mom retired from grooming duty? It’s not aw, it’s ew. And we shouldn’t be expected to give a chance to guys who fake a baritone on Hinge voice notes. That Arjun Rampal mimicry doesn’t even last one date.
One of my comrades unlocked a whole new ick after the second date when the guy finally folded his sleeves to reveal his peculiar arm tattoo. It was the word ‘family’, inked in the world’s worst font. He thought it was a charming reminder of his values, but my friend saw it as a billboard advertising his abhorring taste. Given the size of the tattoo, she figured it would take at least 30 laser sessions before she could go on another date with him. Hum Saath Saath (Nahi) Hain.
For me, it took a termite infestation to make my crush on a guy wear off. I get that the sight of wood-chomping invaders on my bed was gross but watching him grab his stuff and bolt was even more revolting. Men went to war for Helen of Troy, and he couldn’t even handle a few bugs for me? Massive ick.
Views are personal.
(Edited by Theres Sudeep)