This article was reviewed by Anyah Le Gilmore-Jones
and by wikiHow staff writer, Bailey Cho
. Anyah Gilmore-Jones is a Social Media Marketing Expert based in Nashville, Tennessee. An innovative experiential and social media marketer, Anyah is skilled at creating engaging brand experiences and leverages her passion for connecting people and ideas to drive organic growth for purpose-driven brands. As the founder of GROW by Gilmore, a social media strategy company, Anyah develops data-driven social media strategies focused on authentic community building. She has over 4 years of experience spearheading viral campaigns and producing content for brands like HBCU Buzz, Black & Scholared, SHEIN, and Project Art Collective. She received her BA from Howard University in Political Science and Government.
This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources.
You may have heard about the “soft guy” era all over social media, but what exactly does it mean? This viral trend is all about men rejecting traditional gender roles and wanting a romantic partner who provides for them financially. The videos are meant to be satirical, but they have sparked a huge conversation about expectations in relationships. In this article, we’ll teach you everything you need to know about the “soft guy” era, plus explain why men say “drizzle drizzle.”
An Overview of the “Soft Guy” Era
The “soft guy” era is a TikTok trend of men rejecting the idea of being the sole provider in a relationship. Men are posting satirical videos of wanting to be pampered and provided for. The term is meant to be a parody of women who have unreasonably high standards and demands from men.
Steps
What is the “soft guy” era?
-
1The “soft guy” era is a trend of men rejecting traditional gender norms. The “soft guy” era is a parody of the “soft girl” era, which went viral in 2023 as a way of defining women who reject the “girl boss” lifestyle and refuse to date men who aren’t financially well off. A “soft guy” describes a man who rejects traditional gender roles, such as being the sole provider in a relationship. Instead, he wants his partner to pamper him and provide for him. [1] X Research source
- On TikTok, men post videos encouraging other men to enter their “soft guy” era. The trend is meant to be a parody of women who have unreasonable demands when it comes to dating and expect men to pay for everything.
-
2"Drizzle drizzle" is a parody of the viral TikTok term “ sprinkle sprinkle .” According to the creator of the term, YouTube dating coach SheRaSeven, “sprinkle sprinkle” is another way of saying “bless your heart,” “back at you,” or “blessings and abundance to you.” [2] X Research source The term became her signature catchphrase when giving financial-related dating advice to girls. For example, she might say, “If a man asks you about your body count, ask him about his bank account. Sprinkle sprinkle.”
- The term “drizzle drizzle” has been adopted by men in response to the “sprinkle sprinkle” and the “soft girl” era. Men are jokingly encouraging each other to enter their “soft guy” eras and making content about how much they believe they bring to the table.
Origins of the “Soft Guy” Era
-
The “soft guy” era trend became popular in April 2024. It was founded by TikTok users @scarfacemark and @lil.goodiee. On April 1st, @scarfacemark posted a video reacting to a clip of a man talking about how his wife provides for him, which gained over 430,000 views in a week. On the same day, @lil.goodiee posted a video proclaiming to be in his “soft guy” era while criticizing a girl for not paying his way and being broke. His video garnered over 1.2 million views in a week, and was the first known use of the term “soft guy” era. [3] X Research source
TikTok Opinions About the “Soft Guy” Era
-
The “soft guy” era trend highlights gender-based double-standards. Even though the “soft guy” era is satire, it has started a heated conversation on traditional gender roles. A lot of male TikTok users believe it isn’t fair for men to pay for everything in a relationship, so they’ve been using the trend to poke fun at women’s unreasonable or high expectations, such as wanting a six-foot guy in finance or a man who pays their bills. [4] X Research source Many users are heated about the social commentary surrounding the videos, rather than the videos themselves.
- Some female users are angry with the “soft guy” era trend because they feel like the videos are aimed at all women, but the videos are only directed at the “soft girl” community on TikTok.
- According to co-creator @scarfacemark, a man in his “soft guy” era wants a woman who will “take care of him in ridiculous ways.” The trend, he says, is supposed to restore partnership in relationships.
More TikTok Slang
-
New slang is constantly popping up on TikTok. Things happen fast on TikTok, and the world of TikTok slang is constantly evolving and expanding. Check out our article that covers the most popular slang words on TikTok! Here are a few other slang terms for you:
- Broke boyfriend hug: The “ Broke Boyfriend Hug ” is a popular TikTok term that refers to the hug-from-behind position men often stand in when their girlfriend pays for everything for them. Oftentimes, a guy will use this move at the cash register when his girlfriend has pulled her card out to pay for him. [5] X Research source
- Crying horizontally: According to TikTok, “crying horizontally” involves tilting your face so you don’t ruin your makeup. Some people lie down “horizontally” on their couch or bed to stop the tears from falling down their face. [6] X Research source
- Bop: A “bop” is someone who posts promiscuous photos online or has lots of sexual partners. It’s a misogynistic term that’s used to slut-shame women and is highly disrespectful. On TikTok, many guys have posted videos revealing the signs that a girl is a “bop,” like only hanging out with guys or having a tongue piercing. [7] X Research source
Expert Q&A
Tips
You Might Also Like
References
- ↑ https://www.distractify.com/p/what-does-drizzle-drizzle-mean-tiktok
- ↑ https://www.distractify.com/p/sprinkle-sprinkle-meaning-tiktok
- ↑ https://knowyourmeme.com/memes/soft-guy-era-drizzle-drizzle
- ↑ https://knowyourmeme.com/memes/soft-guy-era-drizzle-drizzle
- ↑ https://www.trillmag.com/life/social-media/the-broke-boyfriend-hug-how-men-expect-to-be-babied/
- ↑ https://www.bedeutungonline.de/what-does-crying-horizontally-mean-meaning-definition-explanation/
- ↑ https://knowyourmeme.com/memes/bop-slang