Let’s face it: we’re living in the digital age and the rules of dating have changed. While there are still many people who meet their romantic partners “traditionally”, aka in person, dating apps such as Tinder have become much more popular for finding love. Especially when it comes to a school like Rutgers, with thousands of diverse and unique students, there are some people who you may never have crossed paths with if it weren’t for online dating.
However, Tinder has long been considered only an app for hookups and one night stands. Every girl who’s used Tinder is familiar with the guys who straight up ask for sex without even trying to get to know them. With careful inspection of a potential date’s profile and pictures though, one can definitely find a deeper relationship. If that’s what you’re looking for, here are some tips on how to swipe right and hopefully find a Mr. Right:
The Profile Picture
The very first impression anyone has on Tinder of someone is their profile picture. “Don’t judge a book by its cover” aside, pictures actually reveal a lot more about a person than what’s on the screen. Is the picture a low-quality selfie taken with bad lighting from an upward angle? A picture of them with a girl on each arm? If these are the only pictures you can find on someone’s profile, it’s not only unflattering but can also show a lack of effort on their part.
Someone who’s looking for a long lasting relationship would put their best foot (or in this case, face) forward, and probably post more thoughtful photos. If a guy has any action shots of them doing what they’re passionate about, or pictures with any small animals or kids, it’s definitely a sign to swipe right.
The Bio
You’ve found someone whose photos you like, so what’s next? The bio, of course! This is the opportunity for someone to reveal more about their personality. Obviously, if you’re not looking for a fling or hookup, avoid the guys with “dtf” or absolutely no caption in their bio. And when it comes to cheesy puns and jokes: is this person funny or did they copy and paste the joke from a quick search on Google? Finally, while a few typos are alright, decent grammar and spelling is a must in a bio.
In the end, whether or not you swipe right depending on someone’s bio is up to your personal preference. Does this person share common interests with you? Are they a romantic, an adventurer, or someone dedicated to their work? With only a few phrases and words, a bio can definitely be the make or break in whether someone’s worth dating.
The DM
We’ve come to the last step in the Tinder journey: the direct message. Assuming you’ve both swiped right on each other, this is the point when you really get to know the person. Firstly, be careful when it comes to a generic pickup line or compliment. It’s possible that the guy swiped right on dozens of girls before you, and is copy and pasting the same line to every girl. The best messages are when the guy comments on something from your pictures or your bio. It’s not only nice but also shows that they are interested in you as a person. Another important thing to keep in mind when it comes to the DM is whether the conversation is dry or not. A series of “k”, “wyd”, and “lol” gets boring fast. Finally, notice if the guy asks questions about you. Oftentimes, people are very interested in talking about themselves but rarely take the time to ask about you. If the guy only elaborates on himself but never bothers asking about your perspective or your life, that may be a bad sign.
The issue with online dating is the unreliability that comes with talking through a screen. The truth is that you won’t really know if you’re compatible with someone unless you meet and talk to them in person. However, there’s no doubt that someone’s profile picture, bio, and texting style can still be indicative of whether someone is Mr. Right or not.
Hopefully, some of these tips have helped, and I wish you all the best of luck in finding love this semester!