If you haven’t been living under a rock for the past few years, I’m sure you’ve heard of this brand new, up and coming app called Tinder. More often than not, people use Tinder as a joke, or as a way of perpetuating the annoying yet prevalent “hook-up culture.” Whether you are using Tinder to meet new people, to hook up with someone, or to actually find your true love, there is no doubt about the fact that you’ll find a character or two while swiping left or right.
Here’s my problem: Tinder has gotten such a bad reputation over the last few years. When I found myself swiping around my friends, they made fun of me for using Tinder. In fact, I would give people trouble for using it as well. I mean it’s no match.com that’s for sure, but that’s not to say there isn’t a good guy or gal hidden between the shirtless mirror pictures and the obviously drunk photos. In fact, I’ve actually met quite a few really great guys on Tinder. Granted, I didn’t marry them, but almost all of them are still pretty great friends of mine.
What frustrates me the most is the negative connotations that are associated with women on Tinder. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve matched with someone who immediately messaged me asking if I wanted to hook up that night or even resorting to calling me a “slut” or a “hoe” when I politely turn them down. I mean, are you kidding me? If I’m turning you down for sex because I’ve literally never met you, wouldn’t that make me, I don’t know, the opposite of a slut or a hoe? And honestly, it’s 2015, why are we even using those kinds of words anymore? Even though some girls could be looking for the buff shirtless football players or the massive body builders, remember this: I can’t speak for every woman on Tinder, but many soon find that a football player is only shoulder pads and skinny arms can hide a great man.
Okay wow, rant over. For a second there I felt like Gretchen Wieners during her Caesar speech in Mean Girls. But anyways, my point here is that I fully support Tinder. Obviously not every person on there will be your Prince (or Princess) Charming, but it is possible to find your diamond in the rough with a little patience and a knack for seeing through people’s bullshit. In fact, I am living proof that Tinder doesn’t always result in a sex-crazed weirdo who only wants to sleep with you. When a guy I matched with messaged me about Harry Potter (a shared love of ours), our conversation immediately started flowing; we were a match made in Tinder heaven — or some other cheesy Tinder analogy. When a few days of messaging led to a few weeks of texting, we finally went on our first date. Believe it or not, I met my boyfriend on Tinder and couldn’t be happier that I swiped right for him.
