The reality of quarantine is forcing us to reconsider not only traditional face-to-face dating, but also the usual ways of online dating. How is the virtual dating industry changing under the influence of new living conditions?
When quarantine was already dictating its rules to us, the dating app Tinder launched a new option aimed at communicating with those with whom we are no longer connected by territorial proximity. This fundamentally changed the previous concept of finding a person who is close to you in order to meet him offline as soon as possible.
Whitney Heard, the creator of another popular dating app, Bumble, was unequivocal in her message to users: “Please, only meet online.”
But what will the field of romantic acquaintances and dates look like from now on? It seems that the upheavals of recent weeks, which have affected almost all areas of our lives, have also touched on the topic of the heart. So, dating apps are rethinking the more familiar real-life format of “speed daiting” – speed dating, recreating them online.
Daewon Kang, co-founder of Coffee Meets Bagel, talks about organizing virtual meetings for ten to fifteen people that give you the opportunity to have a short real-time chat and immediately assess if there is someone you would like to continue chatting with. You can write about your desire to the moderator, and he will give the coordinates of each of the parties, if the sympathies coincide.
From now on, we are offered to start not with the exchange of text messages and photos, but with dating in a video chat
The widespread lockdown is forcing us to rethink our idea of online dating. Until recently, before deciding on the first meeting, we were ready to exchange with a potential candidate mainly text messages and carefully selected photos. Few dared to call a person and arrange a video chat until the moment of real acquaintance.
We preferred to meet in cafes, where we seemed to feel much more confident than in front of the camera. Now the concept of online dating is changing before our eyes, we are forced to discard embarrassment and go to get acquainted in a video chat.
The popularity of zoom-conferences and friendly online gatherings makes this method of communication more natural and quietly removes the psychological tension that previously did not give a chance to video meeting with a stranger. Even if he could potentially become your future partner.
“Our users are beginning to appreciate this option, which previously seemed intimidating to them,” notes Davon Kang. – Now it is called “vibe check” – a compatibility test that allows people to immediately determine whether what is commonly called chemistry has happened between them. After all, you can only feel it in person, and long-term correspondence in chats often gives a false sense of closeness, which collapses at the first meeting face to face.
From now on, we are offered to start not with the exchange of text messages and photos, but with an acquaintance in a video chat, which gives a more reliable idea of the interlocutor.
Kang believes that this option will begin to dominate other dating apps also because people are gradually getting tired of implausible, filtered selfies.
There’s a lot more sincerity in a face-to-face conversation than there is in sharing a selfie.
“Initially, many were skeptical about active video communication with the chosen candidate, not least because they are used to controlling their images. People didn’t think they looked as good on a monitor as if they were taking a selfie,” says Wintney Hurd, creator of Bumble. “However, whether we like it or not, we had to use the video chat option, because otherwise we would have to wait weeks for a real meeting.”
“Yes, this is largely a forced step,” says Davon Kang. “But our users are slowly getting used to it. There’s a lot more sincerity in face-to-face conversation than there is in sharing a selfie.”
Video chat is a much more honest way to get to know the interlocutor.
Lisa, one of the users of dating applications, admits that before she would hardly have agreed to talk with a stranger before meeting in real life, but now she appreciates this advantage. “Being at home gives me confidence,” she says. – I decided to be completely myself: I don’t wear make-up and wear comfortable clothes. Therefore, the interlocutor sees me for who I am. I can talk and drink wine, sit on my favorite couch and feel as comfortable as possible. If we liked each other without making any special efforts, then, most likely, we will not be disappointed in real life.