Inflation’s next victim? The dreaded ‘friend zone’ that hopeful daters never want to be

Friendzoned? In this economy? It’s the dreaded, no-sex space that young, hopeful daters say they never want to be — but even those willing to practice patience are saying that the price of sitting tight is simply too high in this inflation-ravaged era. Romantic hopefuls online are sharing their sad truth: “staying in the friend zone” — aka wading through the murky space between platonic friendship and official dating until you figure out if there’s real relationship potential — is now financially irresponsible.Young males are warning other Gen Z daters not to blow money on “unknown odds.” That overpriced coffee is only worth it if you know you’re moving from the friend zone to second base. For them, the lack of certainty is no longer worth the long-term investment. Taking a “friend” out fo