Valentine's Day is lurking and you might find yourself drawn to the curiosity of dating apps. As a perpetually single person, I'll admit that I've had more than my fair share of exploring dating apps (Tinder, Plenty of Fish, MeetMe, Bumble). You've heard horror stories of people not looking like their pictures, people wanting hook-ups, or worse, murders/rapes.
But it's important to protect yourself and to take precaution when meeting/talking to strangers online. I could go on and on about the dos and don'ts of internet safety, but that's a post for another day.
Dating apps tend to get repetitive in the profiles I've come across:
Shirtless Guy
-Profile picture of dude posing in mirror showing off his abs and muscles.
"Gym rat. Outdoor enthusiast. Let's have fun, see what happens."
Mr. 420
-At least one picture of the guy smoking and/or posing in front of pot leaves, etc.
"420 friendly. Let's smoke up. *leaf emoji*"
Country Boy
-Pictures of camo, guns, trucks, fish, ATVs, hunting.
"Country boy looking for a hunting buddy. Love to go muddin' and beer."
The Wanderer
-Pictures of guy in various places, often looking in the distance. Might include impressive tourist shots.
"Love to travel, let's explore the world together."
The Creep
*Asks for nudes*
The Rocker Badass
-Tattoos, gauges, piercings, band tees.
"I sing and play guitar. *lists favorite bands* *lists deep, generic lyrics*"
Boy Next Door
-Normal pictures of the guy smiling.
"*insert cheesy pick up line here*"
Pick your poison, and pick it wisely.
I've had creeps ask me for pics, and they often sent me dick pics (ew). Block and delete. I once interacted with a guy who seemed too good to be true: attractive, sweet, educated, good paying job, ambitious. He really indulged his kinky sexual fantasies to me and he became pushy when I didn't reciprocate it. Needless to say, he went bye-bye. Remember, you decide how far you want your online interactions to go, don't do anything you're not comfortable with.
Meet in person before saying "I love you". I learned that the hard way, passion can happen a lot faster through the internet, and you'll probably get burned.
I can't complain too much, as I've made some friends from these apps, and possible partners. It's a good way to learn about yourself and how to put yourself out there, throw the occasional caution to the wind. It's an easy way to socialize if you want to meet new people without leaving your room in the winter. Plus, it gives you good material for writers like myself ;)
Because you're talking to strangers, there's no such thing as being too careful. Don't always believe what they say, it's very easy to lie on the internet. That attractive guy in a suit with a beautiful smile may not be your prince charming, he could be harboring sexual fantasies that you aren't comfortable with. That pretty blonde girl with tattoos could be using you for a self-confidence boost. If things don't feel right for you, block and delete, go off the grid if you have to.
Swipe right if you're sure. Swipe left more than swipe right. Trust your instincts, and good luck.
Happy swiping:)
