Vulturing is a worrying dating trend that brings out the worst in people

Whether you realise it or not, there's a name for almost every dating trope out there.

Have a habit of checking your phone while hanging out with your other half?

I hate to say it, but you're a phubber.

Just heard from someone who ghosted you months ago? Looks like you're a victim of a zombie.

Most of them are bad, but there's one trend that's worse than all the rest - vulturing.

In the animal world, vultures are known for scavenging and feeding on whatever is left behind - and in the dating world, human vultures aren't much different.

The opportunity for a 'vulture' starts with a relationship that they're not actually part of at all.

Instead, it's a friend or someone they know who's struck up a relationship, and who maybe opens up about the romance to the vulture.

Having established themselves as a confidant, then it's all a waiting game.

The relationship might continue on successfully, and if that's the case, then the vulture might never have an opportunity to strike.

If the relationship fails, on the other hand, then the vulture will use the opportunity to swoop in.

Under the guise of friendship, the vulture aims to take advantage of any vulnerability or insecurity that the friend might be feeling as a result of the failed relationship.

They weasel their way in and use their knowledge of what went wrong to woo the friend, without really having to put in as much effort as they would if they were starting a relationship from scratch.

A post on Urban Dictionary further describes the term: "The act of staying in the shadows, awaiting the romantic failure of an acquaintance so as to exploit the leftovers."

It might seem like an 'easy' path into a new relationship, but it's definitely not a nice one, or one that any genuinely caring person would take advantage of.

Vulturing isn't limited to romantic relationships, either.

As TikToker and writer Lisi Maldonado explains, the trend can apply to pretty much any relationship that the vulture suspects is going to end.

"They can swoop in and take advantage of the people that were once in that relationship, be it financially, romantically, intimately, it could be anything," she explained.

"If you're a vulture, you're an a***hole," Maldonado continued, adding: "And if you find yourself in the presence of someone that knows all the right things to see and do, and they knew about your past relationship and what caused its demise, be aware of their true intent."

Vultures - we're on to you!