Is it so hard to believe that I have never used Tinder before? We now live in what us millennials like to call a “hook up culture,” where us young people Netflix & chill and don’t text back. I like to think I have never used Tinder because I have always been in a relationship—seriously, it’s no joke; it’s like I came out of the womb in a serious relationship. I’m what you call a “serial-dater.” Therefore, I never really felt the need to use the app… but I was always curious.
So I decided, why not? I’m 20, I’m an independent woman—I am going to download Tinder! After a two day trial period I am surprised to admit that it was nothing I thought it would be. Since my only knowledge of Tinder comes from Ellen’s “Messages from Tinder” segment and my friends’ horror stories, I was expecting the worse.
First and foremost, I hated choosing photos for my profile. Although it gave you control of how others would perceive you, the thought of knowing which photos I would choose would determine if I was “hot or not” made me feel really self conscious. I started to doubt photos I had previously liked of myself, asking whether or not they were pretty enough, were they too revealing and “asking for it” (although, notably no woman ever is!).
I finally went live on this notorious dating app, or what should be called a hook up app. I felt nervous knowing that I was willingly putting myself on blast for others to “choose” me. After almost super-liking someone and asking my friends multiple questions similar to a mother using a smartphone for the first time like “guys, is social Tinder for orgys?” I started to get the hang of it.
I was whipping through guys like a sick person uses tissues. I was being so picky, reading their bios, checking their Instagrams, analyzing their pictures. After a couple of hours (I can see why it is so addicting), I felt like I began to lower my standards. I must note the redundancy in every guy on Tinder. It was all: the gym is so important to me, shirtless pics, drinking with the buddies, look how active I am enjoy this picture of me rock climbing, does it make me more attractive if I post pictures of me and my dogs. Also important to address are the bios: man, did I ever see some rather… interesting bios. Here, enjoy a few!
the guy who needs to work on being more subtle.
The guy who points out the irony through humour. I didn’t know Chandler had Tinder?
The guy who is so witty it makes you laugh but then cry a little thinking, “do you think he means it, because I mean I could be down?”
And of course, the pigs of Tinder. Inevitable right.
I got quite a few super-likes, which was flattering, and I matched with Western’s most eligible bachelors (or not so eligible… cue is that his girlfriend or his sister?). Some guys messaged to start a conversation, most of them very respectful and opened with a hook rather than just a “sup?” I guess I was expecting crazy messages what with all you hear about Tinder and stuff.
Overall, I didn’t mind my time on Tinder. Would I ever use it in the future? Doubtful. But in a time where no one actually initiates conversation in person anymore I can see how an app like this would be helpful.
HAPPY SWIPING Y’ALL.