In a nutshell, I think we should embrace all of the social media and dating sites at our fingertips. Think about how much larger the dating pool has become in the last 100, 20, even 5 years. A LOT! We are lucky to get so many options. The world is coming closer together and we get to take advantage of it. It is not just strictly dating, rather friends, connections and interactions in general.
The internet, and social media specifically, is helping me move on and still keep up with people from every part of my life. In a world that revolves around ourselves, it is hard to make the time to nurture all of the relationships that are important to us. With the help of Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, I can quickly and easily see the things going on in people's lives. Is this the only interaction I want to have with them? No, but it is a good filler for the gap between our bi-annual phone calls. When distance makes it hard to see their face, Instagram is a nice reminder of what that face looks like. Technology is changing our world, it is changing how we communicate and it is stealing excuses to not do things. Technology allows us to be a world away, while never missing a beat. I am thankful to have this kind of witchcraft at my reach so that as I go further and further into this life, I don't have to sacrifice my friends or my memories.
Tinder is great. I am not even being sarcastic when I say this. I think that social media and "dating" sites like Tinder are bringing all the people of the world to one place. It is amazing that time changes, oceans, and cultural differences don't stand a chance in keeping people apart. For example, someone that I consider one of my best friends is a Dutch guy I met on Tinder while backpacking across Europe. It has been 7 months and we still talk everyday. I love the idea of there being an endless amount of people to get to know in this world, and the idea that they aren't that far away. At this point, Neptune isn't even that far off.
But lesbihonest, Tinder can be a bit much to handle and it goes from 0 mph to 100 mph in no time at all. My friend and I compiled a short list of the reasons we swipe left. They aren't mutually exclusive unfortunately.
- Mirror selfies- if girls can't, you can't
- Pictures in front of cars
- Gangster signs (Thanks Olivia)
- Same girl in every photo- Hello, obvious
- Group photos where you are positively unidentifiable
- Cargo shorts- Just NO
- Any profile picture sans face (Thanks Olivia)
- Bad brand-name clothes
- White sunglasses- Especially when paired with puka shell jewels
- Black button downs with vertical stripes or solid brightly colored ties
- Earrings- Diamonds are a GIRLS best friend...
- Use of emojis to tell me that you smoke marijuana
- Not showing teeth
- People who declare they are looking for love
- People who have pictures with their children (Thanks Olivia)
- Any photos in the bathroom
- Car selfies- Buckle up for safety
- Anything with a bride
- Body builders
- Cross fit competition photos- Originality counts people!
- Any allusion to your package and its endowments
- Selfies of you in bed (Thanks Olivia)
- No model status photos (Thanks Olivia)
- Proud male nurses- Be whatever, but don't be cocky
I don't have to tell you that the list goes on...and on...and on. You have Tindered before, deleted the app after your shame set in, declared it too entertaining, and redownloaded, if only to round out the list above.
However, let's not get comfortable just yet. Perfectly respectable matches will always surprise you with grossly inappropriate "Moments." I wish I could go into detail on a few, but I will spare you and my parents the dirty deets. #immediateregret #filtersonmomentslololololol Even worse, perfectly respectable matches can message you with some wild propositions. We have seen every Tumblr out there dedicated to the atrocities on Tinder and I can tell from firsthand experience, that they are not staged!
Regardless of all the terrifying, there are good stories out there too. I know plenty of people who have met some really neat friends, boyfriends, adventurers, and partners using Tinder. It isn't romantic but it saves a lot of the bullshit and niceties. I really like that people can only message back and forth when they have both agreed to it. We have all been in that awkward place where someone you have NO INTEREST in talking to messages you and you are stuck between a rock and a bitch place.
The point is, take a risk. Meet new people. You don't have to make it romantic. Be reachable. Be a part of the World Wide Web that brings people closer. I think this is the perfect opportunity to stop making excuses and use all the resources we have to find the best people to be in our lives. We have what no other generation before us has had- the world at our fingertips at light speed. We can make this big world a small place.
This is bae. Wait... is that correct usage? Regardless, you have an excellent point. I met my travel partner in Europe over a social media outlet, and we had the best six weeks together! Tinder aside, social media truly can bring people together. Can we make a non-romantic option for Tinder as well? Like "helpIneedfriendsandIdon'tdogroupsituationswelldidImentionIhaveNetflixANDPrime?" Miss you!
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