It pains me even to write the term, I don’t know what it is but I cringe every time I hear it.

It’s a bit like last year on X Factor when Cheryl kept saying “props” to people for a good performance, thankfully it didn’t catch on. I don’t think the meaning of Netflix and Chill is necessarily the problem, after all we’re entitled to want a bit of attention without the strings of a serious relationship.

The problem for me is that it signals the end of old fashioned courtship. Courtship is perhaps a bit of a cheesy term, but you know what I’m saying. A bit of old fashioned romance may also not necessarily apply to casual relationships, but the term ‘Netflix and Chill’ just wreaks of laziness and it’s a bit like ‘oh really, is this what it’s come to?’

At the grand old age of 29 I wasn’t actually aware of the term until fairly recently, but in an ideal world I wouldn’t expect anyone over the age of 18 to use the term anyway (we all make mistakes when we’re young.)

Over the weekend I was thinking about Netflix itself, going right back to its origins when Marc Randolph founded the company in 1997. Could he have ever overseen that one day this company that he had built from the ground up, put his blood, sweat and tears into stand for just an invitation for sex? Surely as an entrepreneur you would have so much belief in your product or service that you want it to stand for exactly what it offers, staying true to the core values the company was founded on? But no, it seems Netflix actually embrace the whole ‘Netflix and Chill’ phenomenon. Perhaps it’s a clever marketing tool that’s fallen into their lap that they just couldn’t ignore? Each to their own I guess.

So after debating the whole thing quietly to myself I decided to jump on good old Tinder and find out what the girls had to say. I don’t know what it is but every time I mention to a girl I’m writing an article I really struggle to convince them that it isn’t just a chat-up line, it’s funny really but please believe me when I say this isn’t how I’d chat someone up (I’m much worse).

Francis, 24, East Kilbride

“Personally I think it’s a total joke. If you’re seeing someone then yeah sure why not but not as a first meet or first date!!”

Amy, 30, Shawlands

“It’s an awful, awful term I hate it! Instant unmatch for me I’m afraid. I don’t have a problem with guys only looking for something casual it’s only natural at the end of the day but don’t message me saying do you want to see my…or can I come over? You’re a stranger on an app asking if you can show me your bits, if someone turned up at my front door and said the same I’d call the police so why on earth should it be ok to do it on Tinder? So no, you cannot come over.”

Alice, 24, Milngavie

“Netflix and chill is the absolute worst, I love Netflix and I love chilling but if that’s your idea of a chat up line then jog on. Casual relationships require minimum effort but that does not mean you should put in minimal effort into getting it!”

Leeanne, 18, Largs

“I like it I don’t understand why people get funny about it but that’s just me.”

Lisa, 29, Scotstoun

“If a guy is just after one thing I’d have a lot more respect for him if he just came out and said it, that’s not to say I’m after the same thing, but life’s too short to play stupid games. As for the term itself I cringe every time I hear it, it’s actually ruining Netflix for me.”

So that’s what the girls think, it seems they agree we’re all entitled to want a casual relationship as long as guys are honest and put it across in the right way. Whether it’s for you or not, casual relationships are here to stay but ‘Netflix and Chill?’ Lets hope it disappears as quickly as Cheryl’s “props” did.

If you have a Tinder or ‘Netflix and Chill’ story you’d like to share feel free to get in touch: paulthomasbell@hotmail.com