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Most college students have been on less than 10 dates in their lifetime but most likely have been asked on at least 20 “Netflix and chill” hangouts.

“‘Netflix and chill’ is an easy way for guys to ask girls to hang out with them. It’s their way of asking a girl out and being funny at the same time,” explains Matt Cox, a junior communication major. 

When asked why “Netflix and chill” has become so mainstream, Charlie Battis, a senior communication major, says, “It’s much more convenient for a guy to have a girl come to his house and hang out than take her on an expensive date.”

Price is definitely a plus when it comes to “Netflix and chill.” A Netflix subscription is $7.99 a month while Fox News reports that a typical date that includes dinner for two and two movie tickets will total around $80. 

How can one justify paying $80 to be with someone they are interested in when they could pay $7.99 a month and could be with multiple people they are interested in? It is rather obvious that the old fashioned dating style is out the window, but who is to blame?

“I think both genders are to blame because this style of relationships has evolved to be a norm in today’s culture. If one gender were to stop adhering to this trend, then it would end,” says Kegan Ellis, a junior health major. “A guy may ask a girl to come over to watch a movie, but at the end of the day, the girl agrees and knows the intentions that are implied.”

As Ellis states, this casual dating style is now considered normal, but it also has made it difficult to realize if someone is into you or not. The implications of “Netflix and chill” are obvious, but the emotions behind the phrase depend on the case.

“The new type of dating, ‘Netflix and chill,’ fits perfectly into what college has become. The days where you politely ask a girl out for pizza and a movie no longer exist,” contends Battis. “Although [Netflix and chill] may be more convenient, it is also a conundrum. That conundrum is whether this hang out is just a hook up or is it meant for something more. In my opinion, it is just for a hookup.”

Rachel Fox, a senior English and education major, agreed with Battis.

“In our generation, dating has become so unusual and ‘Netflix and chill’ is more common. It is sad, but our culture is definitely more about just a hook-up and I think it is the fault of both genders. Women could demand to be taken on dates rather than settle for a simple ‘Netflix and chill’ text. Men could respect women more than just sending a ‘Netflix and chill’ text. It is a two way thing,” Fox said.

Because of this so-called casual dating culture, it is now normal for someone to receive a “hey” text at 3:00 AM, but abnormal to be asked out on a proper date.

“No one dates anymore,” said Melissa Pravata, a senior communication major said. “The only person I went on a date with was seven years older.”

In fact, “Netflix and chill” has become so popular that a dating app called TikiTalk has included a section in their program just for those who want “Netflix and chill.” 

Spotify, the online music streaming service, even made a playlist on Sept. 15 titled “Netflix and chill.” If that was not enough, musician B.o.B. devoted a song to this new phenomenon.

While some people do it as a funny way of asking someone to hang out, it still is nothing similiar to what our grandparents or even our parents were used to while they were growing up.

A lot of this can be blamed on the casual lifestyle our culture poses and the obsession with be connected to the internet at all times.

“Social media is taking over so people do not want to go out to a nice restaurant. They would rather sit inside and just stay on their computers. I feel that people are trying too hard to do what everyone else is doing,” Caitlin Florkowski, a senior finance major said.

As of April 2015, there were 40 million Netflix users in the United States. This total accounts for the actual number of people who pay to use the streaming site. Therefore, it does not account for the people who take their friends login information and use it with no mercy. Currently, over half of the Millennial generation uses Netflix. 

“I think it is a shame how addicated our generation is to social media. You see friends interacting on campus, but they always have their phones in their hands,” Fox said. “Our culture is the only culture that would promote ‘Netflix and chill.’ We are the only ones who would love to remain attached to the internet while talking “

Check out page nine for one student’s opinion on this strange new phenomenon in the world of dating.

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