Swipe left, swipe right – the modern dance of romance. Since 1995, our dating realm has evolved into a binary world of compatibility, where a mere finger flick determines fate. Forget sparks in the eyes or bold first moves; now, it’s about snapping that perfect photo and crafting a bio that reads “I drink ‘socially’ on weekends”. Baby Boomers and Gen Xers might raise an eyebrow, but in our fast-paced era, convenience rules. Let’s dive into the realm of dating, where gathering intel from our cloud couch before braving the cruel (and expensive) reality might just be the secret to avoiding disaster. Buckle up, as we unravel the red flags and green flags of online dating.

Dating is like navigating a complex game, a challenge that transcends gender and preference. Finding that person you genuinely want to spend time with is no walk in the park. Enter the era of online dating, with giants like match.com and popular apps like Tinder and Hinge, providing a turbocharged method for sifting through potential matches. Physical attraction, a pivotal aspect, takes the spotlight on these platforms, allowing you to make decisions before the nerve-racking face-to-face interactions. These apps are not just cupid’s arrows; they’re matchmakers for the like-minded, creating smoother first dates and sparking easier conversation starters. Whether it’s race, religion, or hobbies, a quick profile glance answers it all. While we grasp that a dating profile doesn’t paint the full picture, for certain deal breakers, it might just be the compass guiding you to decide whether that first date is worth your precious time. 

Authenticity – a term we value, yet seldom encounter in today’s digital realm. In a world where even the device we’re using might be a tech mimic, genuine connections seem elusive. Many turn to technology, investing countless hours researching potential dates before even meeting them. They know interests, pet peeves, and even family details, all before stepping into the same room. Dating apps exploit the vastness of the internet, making information readily accessible. Contrast this with the friendships formed in childhood, where the playground or classroom, not algorithms, played matchmaker. Picture the charm of entering your favorite bookstore or bar alone, unexpectedly encountering someone who might be your future spouse. These spontaneous connections feel like fairy tales, void of superficial judgments. There’s no swiping based on looks, no harm to personal feelings – just pure, authentic human connection. There’s no assumption or anticipation about whether another encounter will happen, yet we all recall that fleeting moment at the airport when you believed a random passerby could be your future spouse, don’t we? However, I can’t recall the last three people I matched with on a dating app. This is what the in-person connection does, it creates lasting bonds that defy knee-jerk reactions and nurture genuine dating potential. 

So, let’s hear it, does this hot take give you the “ick” or are you swiping right?