My Post Pandemic Return to Dating Apps.

Like many people I was locked down with a relationship during the lock down and as most things good or bad, this entanglement eventually spat us out to be on our own again.

Now of course I performed the cliché work on myself routine as one should after a break up. I started working out as well as cleaned up my diet (after depressively eating way too much taco bell, don’t get me wrong). I even did some self reflecting by skipping some rocks at the lake while listening to some Dashboard Confessional on the drive home.

I did all the things you’re supposed to do according to the movies and I was ready to put myself back out there. But how does one meet people in a socially distant world? My ex and I started dating as coworkers and now my company operates on a remote work basis (and I’m definitely not shooting those awkward google chats out there).

I’m a fairly introverted person who doesn’t really go out to bars or clubs.

If you read the title you know where this is headed.

Now as a former male in his 20s I’ve used Tinder before so that was my first line of action. I remember how to use it and how shallow it was, but I recall it still being the name synonymous with dating apps. So I uploaded my more flattering photos and wrote a flirty one liner bio and started swiping away.

I did not expect this swiping experience to be such an insight into the current state of society.

Let me preface by stating I am a early 30s heterosexual male, and so my range was females mid 20s to 30s.

Quickly I found many of the bios with tag lines such as, “swipe the way you vote” or on the other side, “if you voted for Trump swipe left”. I do not recall a time in history in which politics were the main determining factor for finding a potential mate.

The next observation I made was how many women subtly put their Instagram username in their bios. To which if you follow them there’s an Onlyfans link in their bio. I attempted to message a few of these ladies however I met with be directed towards the aforementioned rabbit hole of links.

Don’t get me wrong, I respect the hustle of these women.

After a few failed interactions I wasn’t getting any likes. So I thought to myself perhaps paying for an upgraded membership would help.

Tinder Plus granted me maybe 2 or 3 more likes…so yea that was a waste of money so I deleted the app after a bit longer.

The next app I decided to try was Bumble.

Now I liked Bumble’s layout, it seemed less creepy using the pretense of having the women send the first message (which saved me the trouble of horribly bombing with opening lines like I was with Tinder).

But alas, no bombings on either side took place, for I got near zero matches on bumble leaving me to believe everyone has abandoned this dating platform.

MOVING ON TO THE NEXT APP.

The last one I decided to try out was Hinge.

Now I went into this one thinking this was one of those niche dating apps (like famers only) but for people specifically who were door enthusiasts…I don’t know the name still doesn’t make sense to me lol.

To my surprise this was a pretty great dating app experience. The apps makes you write answers to prompts to be displayed on your profile so then in turn if you wish to message someone you have to click on a photo or a prompt to start the conversation.

I met some wonderful women on there and had some great conversations.

The app does offer a premium subscription with unlimited likes, yet from my experience it’s not necessary because you actually get messages back as the users are looking for actual companionship.

Now thanks to the app I’ve been seeing the same great women for a few months now after seeing how much we have in common and how compatible our personalities are and it’s going wonderful to the point where I decided to delete the app (yes their mission statement really holds true, they want you to delete it).

In today’s world, where it can be so difficult to meet that special someone it is still possible to meet people online and have it transform into a fulfilling real world relationships. Just be careful because certain apps are only looking to suck the money out of you leaving you with the hopes of love in return for your dollar (*cough*cough* looking at you tinder).