What Is Breadcrumbing and How to Avoid It!

We don't do those carbs.

The term breadcrumbing came across our radars and it was time to deep dive. In CNNs recent article, “What is Toxic Breadcrumbing?," expert and clinical psychologist Dr. Monica Vermani defines it as “feigning interest and acting as though they feel sincerely interested and invested in a relationship with another person when they are not.”

The article goes on to say that this can happen with friends, coworkers, but predominately this is an issue that comes up in dating. It can happen with a new love interest, or even an ex-partner might engage in breadcrumbing behavior because they are not ready to let you go.

When we asked our college-aged friend Sarah if she was familiar with this phenomenon she said, “Breadcrumbing is like leading a bunch of people on with no intent of moving forward with them.”

Sarah went on to add that she has heard it used on social but it’s not a phrase that she and her friends are using irl.

Now, to us this sounds like how a player acts — they say and do what it takes to keep someone involved, even though they are not actually interested in being involved. You remember that dude. Player gonna play, you know?

How might this be different? Let’s dive in!