Why Millennials Don't Know How To Date
Start writing a post
Relationships

Why Millennials Don't Know How To Date

Let's stop finding significant others online.

1533
Why Millennials Don't Know How To Date
Her Campus

A couple of weeks ago, I was talking to my parents about their relationship in high school and college. They started dating when they were both 15 and have been together ever since. We discussed how dramatic they were (breaking up every month or so) and other sappy details. What was interesting to hear about was how chivalrous relationships were those days. My dad was extremely polite, went to the front door to pick my mom up for dates and of course, had her home by her curfew. What I came to realize was that this is not even close to how relationships are these days. We, as millennials, have forgotten how to properly date and be exclusive with someone.

The reason millennials don’t know how to date can be blamed on social media. We constantly check our Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat and so on; we are ultimately deteriorating our actual social skills. We have turned to these sites to meet possible suitors and we try to get to know others online. Fast-forward some time and and once you think you might be interested in the person, you schedule a time to meet up. In most cases, this “meet-up” is at one of the person’s houses and it’s usually about as awkward as the time your parents sat you down to talk about the “birds and the bees.” In most cases, you realize that interacting on the internet and then meeting is the backwards way of doing things, and you vow to never see that person again. And hey, sometimes it does work out! However, these social media sites allow us to be bold and say what we feel before even actually knowing who were speaking to.

Ever heard of the show "Catfish"? The show follows young adults on their journey to meet their online love, and nine times out of 10, they get catfished (to lure someone into a relationship based on an online persona). Usually the people doing the catfishing are posing as models, highly successful artists and the list goes on and on. The saddest part? The people being fooled are so naïve that they drive or even fly hundreds of miles to meet their “soul mate” whom they’ve never spoken to on the phone or seen on FaceTime, let alone in person.

It is sad to think that today meeting people online and meeting up after is a common occurrence. What ever happened to asking the cute girl from class on a date? What ever happened to getting picked up at 7 p.m. and meeting the parents and being in awe of the pretty girl or handsome boy in a stunning outfit? We have skipped the first date jitters and traded that for online interactions that lead to hanging out on a couch in a basement, awkwardly trying to make small talk. I don’t think us young adults need to break our banks going out on dates with potential love interests, but it should be a little more complex than “Netflix and chill.”

Aside from the traditional social media sites our generation abuses to meet people, the rise of Tinder has created a “hookup” culture for those my age, younger and older. Tinder is supposed to be a dating app, but let’s be honest, who uses an app to find their next serious boyfriend/girlfriend? The app gives you a set of people to either “swipe right” or “swipe left” on, based upon the pictures and biography they set. “Swiping right” means you are interested in the person while “swiping left” discards them. They only know if you’ve swiped right if they swipe right on you, ultimately matching the two of you and creating a message window to begin talking.

Is this how shallow our generation has gotten? Judging people off of their appearance? Are we tired of trying to actually get to know someone when meeting up with since hooking up is at the tip of our fingers? Tinder has allowed us young adults to interact with complete strangers, and of course never see them again after that “one-night stand.” Again, what happened to an honest, innocent relationship with someone you met at school, work or that local coffee shop?

I’m not trying to shame those who use the internet, social media and apps to meet people. And if you enjoy using Tinder and are not looking to settle down, good for you. However, I do believe that millennials should be striving to meet a significant other in a normal, real-life setting. Most strong relationships come from meeting in person first, instead of texting before meeting up and maybe hooking up or trying to keep a conversation going. If you have a cute boy in your English class, ask him to coffee or to enjoy a walk around the lake. Be bold and you’ll be surprised who or what might come your way.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

52931
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

34003
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

956669
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

181462
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments