We all approach dating differently. Some of us swipe frivolously on Tinder. Some of us are all about the bar scene. Some of us think the best people are hidden in coffee shops and libraries. No matter what, we've seen the good, the bad and the ugly in the quest to find "the one."
In most circumstances, I prefer cell phones out of the picture. There is nothing worse than spending time to look babelicous and then losing an attention battle to someone's phone. (Didn't our parents have it so good without technology?!) Anyway, I found five smartphone apps that give anyone an excuse to have their phone out. They're all Lauren-tested and Lauren-approved.
1. Pick-Up Lines.
Not everyone is blessed with the ability to strike up a conversation with a complete babe. No worries. This free app has sweet pick up lines no matter how you're feeling- frisky or trying to land a fiancé. Users can choose a category: Bad, Cheesy, Corny, Flattery, Good, Innuendo, Plain Lame, Sweet or Worst. If you don't want to use any of these, your loss, but they are funny to flip through. Hope these work for you, tiger.
2. Get to Know Game.
You've landed the babe with that pick-up lines app, obviously. Now it's time to get to know each other. When you're to the point of asking what the other person ate today, you need this app. It generates questions for wherever you are and whatever you're doing. Here are the categories: Get to Know, Party Talk, Love Talk, Family Dinner, Girls Night, Boys Night, This or That and Vivid Debate. You pick a category and go to town. The only downfall to this app is that the only free category is "Get to Know," but can you really put a price tag on not being socially awkward?
3. Bad Date Rescue.
Ironically created by the developers at eHarmony, this app is for the notorious horrible date. Anyone can get out of baby daddy talk, creepy advances, and feeling the serial killer vibe because the app is free. It lets you schedule an incoming call to get out. Users choose a call from either mom saying your sister is having a baby, a neighbor saying a water pipe broke in your apartment, or the boss saying you're needed in the office ASAP. You can even load a profile picture for each user to make it extra believable. Then, you choose when you want the call to happen: in five seconds, in one minute, or in five minutes. Long story short- if you have a bad gut feeling, get out!
4. Bounden.
Life's a dance, right? I'd like to think so! Bounden is an app developed by the Dutch National Ballet, and the best way to show it off is in the app trailer above. Couples learn to dance at a chosen skill level with an interactive approach, not a "see monkey do" approach. Grab your dance partner and place your thumbs on the phone- the rest is history. Even if your dance sesh is an epic failure, it's still fun. Bounden costs $1.99, but it's totally worth it if you're too broke for ballroom dance lessons.
5. TourismOhio (Or any app highlighting things to do in your city or state.)
What can I say? I'm a Buckeye and I'm proud. Also, getting in the routine of pizza and Netflix is THE WORST. Apps like TourismOhio are usually free and show you things to do nearby, or help you plan a weekend getaway. Users can see festivals, restaurants, bars, tourist attractions, and parks all in one app. Long story short- it's sweet, and you can plan dates around the interests of your man candy/lady buffet.
Don't be ashamed to use a smartphone app to help you in the dating department! We live in a world where everything is fast-paced and everyone has to work all the time. Anything saving you time is worth the download. Best of luck, dating warriors, and may the odds be in your favor.
