Locationship (or the ‘Vegas Syndrome’)
A new term is circulating throughout the modern dating community: locationship. While a lot of single people (mainly American voters) use the term in reference to dating somebody for the duration of the election season, it now applies to any short-term relationship that occurs whilst traveling. The entertainment industry has practiced this for years, with a lot of famous touring acts employing the “what happens on tour, stays on tour” rule. The fun-loving visitors of Las Vegas have a similar policy, typical of large groups looking for ‘a good time’ with no strings attached.
Basically, a locationship is a romance, or even a purely sexual encounter, that has a use-by date. There is no underlying commitment – the ‘Vegas Syndrome’ serves as a means of blowing off steam whilst on the road or during a special event, and the use-by date comes when the period is over. The locationship can also be a recurring event (“same time next year?”) or be mutually understood as a one-off fling that won’t be explored again.
The locationship is just one of many cultural off-shoots of this thing called romance. In saying that, it is universally understood that the Vegas Syndrome is not conducive to, and is not a substitute for, a long-lasting relationship. As with all casual flings, they must end somewhere. So if you find yourself in a locationship, be careful not to confuse it with genuine romance, or else you will not be able to detach yourself from it when it’s over. Give it some careful thought and set your conditions before you begin. Avoid taking what’s being made available to you for granted. After all, whether it’s a locationship or a long-lasting romance, you have to look after yourself. Make the right choices.
Reference: Urban Dictionary
Reference: Politico
Reference: Consum-mate
June 23rd, 2007 at 6:03 pm
Interesting! I wonder also if this term wouldn’t apply to those “online relationships.” It amazes me how people are looking for that special someone, and will enter into a relationship, even if it is long distance. Now, I read that people enter into relationships on vacation — geesh. Times have changed since i exited the dating scene.