Economic stress and shifting expectations are reshaping modern dating, with new data suggesting the rise of strategic, transactional interactions.
New research from ClarityCheck presents a data-informed look at what users increasingly identify as "foodie calls": situations in which one party appears to use dating apps primarily to obtain meals rather than pursue meaningful connections. In a survey of 1,024 active dating-app users, 34% reported experiencing at least one such incident in the past year. Of those, 58% said the interaction followed an explicit conversation about splitting costs, raising questions about intent and transparency.
ClarityCheck contextualizes this behavior within broader user patterns, noting that safety checks are now routine for many online daters. The case study featured in the report follows a 29-year-old New York-based user who encountered repeated mismatches between profiles that signaled stability and offline behavior that suggested otherwise. Verification using publicly available contact details and image searches surfaced discrepancies, such as reused profile photos, misleading occupational claims, or lack of a digital footprint, which were often associated with interactions that ended quickly, included unexpected requests to cover more of the bill, and were followed by abrupt disengagement.
Rather than treating these encounters as anomalies, the report interprets them as part of a larger response to economic pressure and dating app fatigue. When financial stress is high, some users may reframe dating as a low-effort source of short-term benefit. The emphasis shifts from emotional reciprocity to immediate returns, particularly in environments where dating has already become casual and platform-driven.
Alongside documenting prevalence, ClarityCheck's analysis includes guidance for what it calls more "resilient dating": a practical framework for users navigating blurred lines between genuine interest and strategic engagement. Among its recommendations: set early expectations about cost-sharing, apply light-touch verification methods, and prioritize indicators of long-term intent like consistent career history, open communication, and balanced investment in planning.
Survey responses reinforce these themes. 71% of participants said they would be more likely to pursue a relationship after confirming basic background details, and 63% felt safer when both parties agreed to financial transparency on early dates.
The report avoids moral judgment and focuses instead on how dating norms are adapting under pressure. These trends are not just about etiquette; they reveal how financial conditions and app design influence how people present themselves and assess others. For platforms and users alike, the findings point to a growing appetite for tools that support better decisions without compromising autonomy.
About ClarityCheck:
ClarityCheck is an all-in-one background verification tool for phone numbers, emails, and images. Designed for everyday digital safety, ClarityCheck helps users instantly identify unknown contacts, trace suspicious profiles, and check for potential fraud across phone, email, and photo input. By combining reverse lookup and OSINT technologies, it offers a streamlined way to verify identities and protect yourself online.
ClarityCheck is an all-in-one background verification tool for phone numbers, emails, and images. Designed for everyday digital safety, ClarityCheck helps users instantly identify unknown contacts, trace suspicious profiles, and check for potential fraud across phone, email, and photo input. By combining reverse lookup and OSINT technologies, it offers a streamlined way to verify identities and protect yourself online.