When you think of a first date, what comes to mind? Is it a few texts back and forth that eventually lead to something like, "Wanna come over and watch Netflix?" Why doesn't a candlelit dinner under the stars come to our minds when we think of a date? It's because "Netflix and chill" and the like have become our generation's idea of "dating."
What ever happened to going on nice dates and getting to know each other rather than just getting straight to the bedroom? What happened to the waiting and fear for that first kiss when you both know the time is right? Where are the spontaneous midnight trips just because you want to spend time together? To me, that sounds a whole lot better than watching Netflix and chilling, even though that rarely ever happens when those are mentioned.
I will admit it; I am a hopeless romantic. I am in love with love. I want to surprise my partner with ice cream and flowers at the end of the day just because. I want to go stargazing in the late hours of the night and have deep discussions with my significant other. I read romance novels, and I hope for a relationship like those in my books. However, most of my generation does not want this.
Our generation is concerned with convenience -- we want everything right away with little to no hassle. This is where hookup apps such as Tinder come into play. We are able to put a short biography of ourselves and scroll through countless others who are looking for the same thing. Granted, some relationships do come out of these apps, but they are primarily used for hookups.
There’s nothing wrong with wanting to hookup. If that’s your thing, good for you! You keep doing you, but I don’t want that. I want the more traditional forms of dating and getting to know someone. You know, actually go out for dinner and a movie, go dancing or just enjoy each other's company at a park.
Although, when it feels like everyone doesn’t want go on dates like this anymore, it makes it feel like us hopeless romantics won’t ever find someone. I’ve turned to Tinder more than a couple of times to try to find that other hopeless romantic; however, I am almost always disappointed as my matches only want hookups.
Sometimes, I think maybe it would just be easier to go out and hookup with someone, and maybe that hookup will turn into a relationship. Just hop into bed with someone after only knowing them for a few hours, and that might (emphasis on might) turn into a relationship.
But I’m not going to settle for that. If I’m one of the few hopeless romantics at this college in a hookup culture, so be it. If I have to wait years until I find that special someone that I can take on all these crazy date ideas I have, I will. I’ll be living the lifestyle that I want with someone who appreciates romance as much as I do even if it is difficult to find.
That sounds perfect to me, even if I have to wait.
