Digital creator THE ONLY SHERAE went viral recently after posting a blunt critique of modern dating culture, arguing that relationships and social interactions have become overly transactional.
In a viral Instagram video captioned “This new men vs women is so annoying!!,” Sherae expressed frustration with what she sees as a growing emotional disconnect between men and women, particularly among younger generations navigating dating and friendships amid social media-driven expectations.
“Why everything got to be transactional?” she asked during the video. “What happened to just hanging out [and] messing with somebody just because?”
Sherae criticized both men and women for what she described as conditional social behavior, claiming many people now approach relationships expecting either money, sex, or material benefit in return for basic companionship.
“The females ain’t even female no more, the males ain’t male no more,” she said. “Everybody trying to be something that they not.”
According to the creator, genuine connection and simple companionship are increasingly being replaced by performative online culture and transactional dating standards.
“Women don’t even want to hang out with you no more unless you spending some money,” she said. “Men don’t even want to pull up unless they know for a fact they getting something after the date.”
Sherae contrasted current dating dynamics with what she described as a more traditional or low-pressure approach to relationships, where people could spend time together without expectations tied to money or sex.
“Maybe I’m a ’90s girl,” she said. “We could just be cool. We ain’t even gotta have sex.”
The video resonated with many social media users who echoed concerns about dating fatigue, transactional relationships, and the influence of internet culture on interpersonal connections.
“Men of today rather be single cause we open up social media see all bs women are confessing and down talking to men. Its better for us men to be single and enjoy our peace over toxicity & being miserable,” one person commented.
Others challenged parts of her commentary, arguing that financial expectations and dating standards have always existed in some form.
Still, the clip tapped into a broader ongoing debate online surrounding gender dynamics, emotional availability, hookup culture, and the growing frustration many young adults express about forming authentic relationships in the digital age.
Sherae ended the video by blaming internet culture for encouraging imitation and unrealistic expectations.
“The generation now is cooked,” she said. “Everybody just trying to copy off this internet.”
