So while yes, someone could be pocketing for f*ckboy/-girl reasons (i.e. You know how scary it is when you get excited about someone.this could be their (unfortunate) response to those feels, too. Chloe has had several clients who hesitate to introduce their partners to their friends and family because they actually really like them. Relationship therapist and WH advisor "Dr. This Is How You Know You've Found 'The One' If they avoid bringing you to family, work, or social events, deflect your requests when you ask, and/or always insist on staying in instead of going out, you're deep inside their pocket. Not quite sure if it's happening to you? First, let go of denial and face the facts. Basically, your relationship is capital-P private. They're likely not even going to acknowledge you publicly on social media (DMing you memes doesn't count). This means no dinner with the 'rents or kicking it with their old college roommates.
Pocketing is, in short, when the person you're dating pulls out all the stops to make sure that your relationship (or situationship, or whatever it is to them) seems nonexistent to the rest of the world. And yet, here you are, victim of yet another womp-womp dating trend. You sit there, patiently waiting for the person you thought you were in a relationship with-or at least close to it-to acknowledge your existence. They walk over to the table, start chatting about last week's craziness, and when it comes time to introduce you, it just doesn't happen. Scene: You're on a date with your new beau and their coworker happens to be at the same restaurant.