I wasn’t planning on getting an online dating app, but one of my friends convinced me to get Tinder. She said it was a total self-esteem booster. After thinking about it for a day or two I decided, "Why not? I can always delete it if I don’t like it."
My rule when swiping right was the guy had to look more or less normal and had to hold a conversation with me. There were the few weird guys that tried some strange and very forward pick-up lines that I ignored. However, most of the guys that I talked to on Tinder could hold a conversation. I’ve always liked talking to and learning about different people and this was a way to fill that desire. I went on four Tinder dates with four different guys.
On the first date, the guy picked me up and we did the classic dinner and a movie. As the date progressed, I discovered that he wasn’t as cute as he looked in his pictures. By the end of the date, I think he figured out I wasn’t interested.
The second date was with a creepy guy. He tried to pressure me into meeting him before the date by saying he wanted to see me and would drive to my dorm to meet me. I’m not exactly sure why I followed through with the whole date after that. We also did dinner and a movie. During dinner, I broke multiple awkward silences and he broke one of them. Even if this had any potential to go anywhere, the fact he wouldn’t talk to me was a deal breaker. Once the movie ended, we stood up and he reached his hand behind him as if to say, “Let’s hold hands.” I had no choice but to hold his hand. It was the most uncomfortable minute of my life. As soon as there was a chance to let go, I took it and shoved my hands in my pocket. I felt bad, but I had to get the message across somehow.
I decided to go to Starbucks for the third date. This guy was very nice. He was a little nerdy, but he could hold a conversation. I thought the date went well and there would possibly be another date, but I didn’t hear from him again.
The final date was right before I left for spring break. We were texting one evening and I asked what he was up to. He said he was going to Starbucks and I said, “I love Starbucks!” He then asked me if I wanted to come along. Complete spur of the moment, I responded "yes."
About a week later, my final Tinder date and I made it official. We’ve been dating for about three months now. So, without the pumpkin carriage and the royal balls, I was able to meet my prince through the Tinder app. There are some weirdos and some normal guys out there (maybe even the ones that hold your glass slippers). For me, standards worked like we met in person.
