The college dating game can be pretty rough, and even more so when you're at a small school. Whether looking to date or hook up, searching for a special someone can be a long, frustrating, seemingly ceaseless endeavor. Ah, lucky for us millennials, we have Tinder.
For those of you who have somehow managed to survive without hearing of Tinder, its a smartphone-only app that shows members of the preferred sex within a chosen age bracket who live relatively nearby. When presented with these not-so-abundant options, you either choose to swipe the screen left to throw their Tinder profile away, or swipe right and hope they swipe right back. If both parties swipe right, the two of you match.
It sounds simple and endearing enough, right?
Tinder and apps like it are incredibly popular so, after my own break up, I downloaded it. After just a couple of months of attempting to see what it had to offer, I gave up and never looked back.
Of course, everyone has their own experience. Some people really enjoy it, but I myself found a couple of faults. After talking to my friends, here's a cumulative list of just a few reasons why to give up on Tinder.
1. Too many familiar faces
Particularly when dealing with the nasty combination of a small school and a limited app, you tend to see one too many acquaintances on Tinder. This presents users with two terrible options; either swipe left and have the curiosity eat you alive, or swipe right just to see what happens, all the while hoping they don't actually want to hook up.
2. If you're looking for deep, try elsewhere.
Let's admit it. At the end of the day, Tinder is really about first impressions predominantly based upon how you look in the four to five photos you choose to upload. The decision to swipe right or left can all depend on how good or bad one photo might be.
In an app where aesthetics are weighed so heavily, the likelihood of having a deep and meaningful interaction is slim. If your primary goal is to find a special connection, you might your bubble burst. Get ready for bad pick up lines and generic compliments.
3. Swiping can be confusing.
Picture your dream match. They're gorgeous. Their bio is everything you could have wanted and more. It's witty and creative and you share a favorite food. Or movie. Or band. Even more, they've got a cute pet and they're only 2 miles away.
The hope of matching wells up inside you until, suddenly, things go terribly array. Maybe the app glitches or you're just really bad with your lefts and rights. Either way, your potential soulmate is gone, just like that. They've disappeared into the abyss that is your discarded options-- Matches never to be.
4. I'm not prepared for your kid to ask me if I'm his or her new mommy.
Hi, I'm 20 years old. I'm planning on having a solid decade until kids are even a concern. So, if I see someone on Tinder who has a child, it's an instant swipe left.
5. Superlikes are Supercreepy
On Tinder, you have the option to
In theory, it sounds like a flattering feature. However, it's more creepy than exciting. The tool is incredibly forward and puts the other party in a vulnerable position, tempting you to match with them just out of appreciation of their guts. More often than not, though, you'll swipe left on the people who use it, making you feel both guilty and sad.
6. I'll always come second to muscles.
There are far too many Tinder users whose photos focus solely on their abs or biceps. It's okay to be proud of your muscles, but if they are your favorite thing about yourself, or your bio focuses solely on your undying addiction to the gym, chances are you'll never love me as much as your muscles.
7. 420 BLAZE IT GOOD VIBES ONLY
Hey, do whatever you want with your free time. But if the only identifier you have on your profile is something along the lines of "team 420" or "must blaze to match," you probably can't get it.
8. People are jerks.
Plain and simple. People, in general, suck. Tinder is no different. Whether people send you objectifying or demeaning messages, insult you for not wanting to hook up, or simply unmatch you after a pleasant conversation, Tinder is just another source of poor social interactions. Why subject yourself to that online when real life is already chock-full of it?
We all deserve to be treated with a little respect, and it's hard to find that on Tinder
Tinder might have its pros. Sure, it can be a fun little game. It's empowering in some ways to choose who you want to match with, and it's always validating to see that you've made some successful matches. A lot of people have had a triumphant experience with the app. But, me? I'm trying the old fashioned way, and I'll never look back.
