I don’t know about where you’re from, but in New York there’s a dating app that seems to be changing the way New Yorkers meet each other.
I have a bunch of friends who are on Tinder, and they seem to like it a lot. It’s an app that links to your Facebook account (but that remains private on the FB end), and you basically browse through other singles in your area. You can either “like” or “pass” on each person, and if they have “liked” you as well, Tinder matches the two of you up for further conversation.
One of my friends in particular has tried a handful of other dating sites like EHarmony, Ok Cupid, and Match.com, and she says that the Tinder app has actually gotten her better dates. She’s currently about to go on date #3 with a guy she considers boyfriend material.
As someone who hasn’t tried Tinder (or any dating website/apps), I was interested in learning more. So I started grilling my friend, and here’s what I found.
The number one thing she said she likes about Tinder is that it’s the most close to meeting someone for the first time in real life – it’s back to the basics of attraction – whereas other dating websites tend to share more personal information.
Some other upsides of Tinder:
* you know the other person is attracted to you too (without them knowing you’ve “liked” them)
* you can see what mutual friends/interests you have
* it’s easy to use and not complicated (no profiles to fill out, etc.)
* it’s free
* if you don’t “like” someone, they cannot contact you
Some of the downsides of Tinder:
* you’ll most likely see people you know on there (if that bothers you…I say who cares?)
* you might have to click a lot of “passes” before you find a “like”
* there’s always the risk of creepy people, and I’ve heard of a few not-so-great instances
* it’s based on very little information about the other person
* some people view it as more of a game
What do you think about Tinder? I’m still pretty traditional when it comes to dating, but the concept of Tinder is pretty interesting to me. I also like how it’s become mainstream and…well, normal. So who knows…maybe I’ll see what I think about it myself 😉
Do you know of anyone who met in Tinder? What about other dating websites/apps?
Juliana says
I am someone who has tried every dating site out there, and I have to say Tinder is my favorite. Yes, there is a lot of people who aren’t taking it seriously or are just looking for hook-ups but I love how simple it is. If you like me, we talk, if you don’t, we won’t. Most dating sites I have seen ask for way too much information, I feel like I am on a job interview! I don’t need to fall in love through your profile, I just need to meet you and take it from there which is exactly what Tinder does
“Most dating sites I have seen ask for way too much information, I feel like I am on a job interview! I don’t need to fall in love through your profile…” <--- such a good point!
Hmm, this is a really interesting concept. The first time I heard of it was through a magazine I read back in the summer, but I haven’t tried it myself. I’ve used other sites (okcupid, match), but I might consider trying this sometime in the future, since it sounds like it could be a better route.
Interesting! I’ve never used these sites but I know qute a few people that have met(and have gotten married) through dating websites and I think it’s a great way to meet people. My opinion is people will most likely get the results they want by representing themselves in that way (having fun vs. wanting to be in a relationship) and have standards of what they want going into it.
I’ve never used tinder personally, but I know plenty of people who have. I don’t really support it because the majority of people that I know DO use it as a game. They joke around with their friends and sometimes just like people as a joke. I’m not really a fan of it because I think it opens up the door for even more internet bullying, especially in younger kids.
Good point about opening the door for bullying. I wonder if there is good protection against younger kids using it…?
my brother and i always joke about Tinder, how it’s dating’s version of “hot or not” right in your vicinity.
not sure i’d swing this one, but i have to give props to whomever comes up with these things!
I actually met my boyfriend on Tinder! We’ve been together for 6 months
No way! That’s so cool
Tinder is HUGE in LA right now too. I actually hadn’t heard about it (apparently I live under a rock) until a few weeks ago when my best friend set up an account for me. I haven’t used it much but a lot of my friends swear by it. And one of my girlfriends has been with a guy for 7 or 8 months now that she met via Tinder.
I definitely don’t see anything wrong with it. Like with any dating website/app, you just have to be careful. (:
Luke R. says
Luke here. Certified male, so I’ll chime in from that perspective. I’ll say that I view it more as something to pass the time, but that doesn’t mean I’m not open to it turning into something awesome. I actually drove all the way to Connecticut to meet a girl that I had been talking to for a couple months via Tinder/text. She had been visiting Richmond to attend her friend’s graduation which is how she came up on my radar. Had a great weekend together (no sex, just QT) and I got to experience the joys of the town Stamford, CT…. Granted, we haven’t stayed in touch (for various reasons), but I don’t regret it and was glad I met her.
…No random hookups for me, though there are a few ladies on there who seem all about it. I’ve had a few 1AM, “oh haaaaaay”s from people I’ve never met.
LUKE! Can I just say how much I love it when you comment? I like to think you represent a ton of guys who secretly read GML 😉
Thanks for this comment - good to have a male perspective. If I had to guess, that’s the perspective that most guys have when it comes to Tinder. And that’s probably the best one to have, actually (guy OR girl).
Also good to know that quality guys like you use it!
Luke R. says
Aw shucks, you called me “quality”. You’re too sweet to me. Good luck Tinderizing!
I’m still in college at the moment- which makes it easy to befriend guys and find common interests!
Eileen Liu says
Do you think that Christians should be using this app?
Well, I can’t think of any good reasons why they shouldn’t be able to, so long as their intentions are in the right place and using discernment (in the same way as regular dating). Would love your input if you think otherwise, though!
Brendan says
I don’t think Christians should be using Tinder if their intention is find another Christian person. I’d been on a couple of dates with a girl through Tinder only to not go further due to her wanting to find someone openly Christian.
Perhaps Tinder should introduce religion in their match preferences.
I admit to using tinder… for a week back when it first was getting popular (in February) because my friend in Chicago was going on tons of dates using it (I am in Minnesota). Then I started using it just recently after a break up and it actually helped me not dwell on something that didnt work out, but rather see there were so many other other people out there. More fish in the sea, if you will 😉
I quit it both times for the same reason. The guys seemed great and very genuine but it was SO OVERWHELMING. Of course I connected with some more than others and even went out on a date with a great guy, but it just was too time consuming in the long run (and kills your phone battery haha). I have friends who love it and friends who also just use it for entertainment. I think it’s a lot like meeting someone at the bar, chatting for a few minutes and getting their number to go on a date. Its not creepy, and most of the guys seem to be on the same page as everyone else.
Eileen Liu says
What I mean was, how do you find other Christians who are “equally yoked” on an app like Tinder? I hope this didn’t sound too judgmental!
Ohh I see what you mean - nope doesn’t sound judgmental at all! That’s a good question…and I’m not sure of the answer :/ if I find out will let you know!
I’ve used Tinder before and I haven’t had much success at all. The first guy I went out with had a muffin top, which I didn’t see in any of his pictures. The second guy was a weirdo that wouldn’t look me in the eye, was a squatter and had been for the past year, and didn’t look like he did in his pics. I also would get creepy messages from guys asking to bone, make out, or even have a 3 way?!!?!
I’m not sure if you’ve heard of this other app called LuLu? This app is only for girls and it allows women to anonymously and publicly rate men on their romantic, and sexual value and link those ratings to the man’s Facebook account. So if you come across a guy on tinder you can look up his reviews on LuLu.
LD says
I met my amazing boyfriend on Tinder! I tell all my single friends to try it out! I actually thought the men I met on Tinder (before finding my love) were great in comparison to other dating sites.