THE DOS AND DON’TS FOR DATING APPS
By Cat Tong, Staff Writer
In a generation where phones and technology are on the rise and our daily lives become busier and busier, there is simply no time for “traditional dating.” It is much easier to pick up a phone and swipe left or right than to pick up those car keys and head out to a local bar or dinner date.
Like the evolution of texting, where words have been simplified to three letter abbreviations such as “LOL,” the dating world has also been boiled down to a series of online dating sites and applications. A few popular apps include Tinder, OKCupid, PlentyOfFish (POF), and CoffeeMeetsBagel. Online dating has received a bad reputation through the years with its accumulation of users with users only seeking a chance to hook up, instead of looking for a relationship. Although, there is still hope, as there are many opportunities to find the right date. On this Valentine’s Day, here are a set of tips to remember when seeking a date through dating applications:
- DO NOT overload your personal bio:
You don’t want to give too much insight about yourself. Leaving some mystery is always a good thing. In return, you will have more things to talk about and discover about that person. As for that bio, basic information should suffice and anything else you may think is important to share.
- DO Post pictures of yourself:
There is no pressure or need to post something “sexy,” but only what makes you feel confident. Post pictures of yourself doing activities. Some examples are playing sports, hiking up a mountain, taking a vacation, or going to your favorite convention. The only real exposure you have on dating apps are photos, so why not make use of them? People are more likely to swipe right if they see something they can relate to, without even having to talk to you.
- DO NOT Send Unsolicited Nudes
It’s 2018. We get it, cameras are accessible. But that doesn’t mean that you should picture of anything you want and send it to anyone you want. Just be aware of what you are sending before you press send.
- DO Make Use of Video Chatting
iPhones are useful in video calls through a built-in app called FaceTime. At the click of a button, you can easily have a face to face phone call. This can help you make sure the person you are exchanging texts with is the same person on the other side of the screen.
- DO NOT Have Too Many Expectations
Just like dating in person, dating online can be a hit or miss. Expecting too much can only hurt you. You can expect that there will be texting, calls and meetings, but It is important not to dwell on a single person or conversation. The right ones will keep coming back, and the wrong ones will eventually fade out.
- DO Keep an Open Mind
There are approximately 7.6 billion people in this world that come from different backgrounds, upbringings, and cultures. You will have the opportunity to talk to many people and not everyone is going to share the same views as you. It is important to be open to new ideas and be willing to listen to everything even though it may sound foreign to you.
- DO NOT Worry About “Ghosting”
Ghosting is a slang word used to reference the disappearance of either a sender or responder from a texting conversation. It is the cutoff of all communication from one source to another when one decides that they do not wish to continue pursuing a relationship. Ghosting may be a cruel act, as it leaves the other person feeling like they did something wrong, not to mention the fact that they may never get a reply or explanation. Once someone ghosts you, that’s the end. Understand that someone who “ghosts” isn’t even worth your time.
- DO Have Fun
The dating game usually receives a bad reputation, but it all depends on your outlook. You are opening yourself up to a world of many opportunities. You will meet new people, make new connections, and learn so many new things. The worst thing that can happen is that you might embarrass yourself in front of a total stranger, but you never have to see them again. If you’re thinking twice about getting out there, just do it!
Illustration by Mary Jane DeCarlo
