Wokefishing: the new catfishing

The term “catfish” has been around for years and is well known because of the MTV show of the same name. However, Internet fraud has also evolved with time and catfishing is no longer the biggest fraud method on the worldwide web. In 2022, you should be concerned about what’s known as “wokefishing”. We’re happy to explain what this means and how you can recognise a wokefisher.

Woke:

noun

Being alert to wrongs and problems in society and preventing hurting others (e.g. through discrimination or exclusion).

What’s wokefishing?

In essence, wokefishing is what’s happening when someone pretends to have exactly the same political preferences and social ideals as you do. This can take many forms. Think, for example, of someone who claims to be a feminist, vegan, or anti-racist. The wokefisher is a talented manipulator who’s got you wrapped around their finger with nice words. But don’t worry, someone who already has a delicious plant-based recipe in a Tinder bio or gives you the ultimate book recommendation, may be a bit cringy, but probably not a wokefisher ; )

“Anyone who pretends to have exactly the same political preferences and social ideals as you do.”

What’s so bad about a wokefisher?

Now it may not sound much like catfishing, but in essence, the two are very similar. A catfisher pretends to be a different person than they truly are and, in a way, a wokefisher is doing the same thing. Wokefishing is also a form of dishonesty, and that just isn’t right.

Of course, sometimes we all make something look better than it is, especially while we’re trying to win someone over. Cases of wokefishing are on the rise now because the world and society are changing.

Also read: Sex, dating and love: these are the trends for 2022

The number of conversations about race, the planet, animal cruelty, and political change around the world are increasing. As a result, people feel more and more pressure to conform to the views expressed in these conversations. Humans are herd animals, and some people think that they won’t connect with others if they show that they don’t care, so they lie. But lying about something that’s very important to the other person (such as political or religious beliefs) in order to get them into bed is a dirty game. Besides, a possible long-term relationship just isn’t in the cards: a relationship that’s based on lies never lasts. Remember: however fast the lie is, the truth will always catch up with it.

What can you do about it?

Talk, talk, talk! Communication is key – ALWAYS! Most things in the world can be solved by communicating with each other, and wokefishing is one of those things. If you don’t quite believe someone and you have doubts about whether they’re honest about a particular issue, just ask them. Ask straight in someone’s face or via a video call. This way, you don’t give the other person a chance to carefully compose the ‘right’ answer.

“Most things in the world can be solved by communicating with each other, and wokefishing is one of them.”

Define your limits

As I mentioned earlier, everyone has been guilty of a white lie. When we make something look better than it is, that’s just part of the dating process. That means wokefishing is harder to discern than catfishing. Someone is a wokefish when you feel that they are. Suppose I’m chatting with someone on Tinder who claims to be a vegan and then shows up wearing a fur coat on our first date – this would certainly be a red flag.

But if the same person is vegan but eats a kebab sandwich because he’s drunk, then I wouldn’t see him as a wokefisher. This is a human being. So, set your own boundaries about what you would consider wokefishing.

Also read: Red flag alert: 19 signs your date isn’t right for you

Have you heard of this term? Have you ever had to deal with a wokefisher? Let us know in the comments!