Dating apps killed the meet-cute

Lauren Prattis, Audience Editor 

Accidentally reaching for the same drink at the coffee shop, staring at the same piece of art at the museum for hours and getting tangled in each other’s dog leashes at the park  — these are prime examples of how meeting a romantic partner used to go. 

But thanks to dating apps like Hinge and Tinder, romantic comedy-style meet-cutes are now few and far between. 

The convenience of swiping left and right on just a picture and a curated profile to find your “match” may override the awkwardness of a first interaction, but it also takes away the first “spark.” 

Almost all dating app interactions go the same way: You match, exchange surface-level small talk and eventually the conversation fizzles out. These infinite options should in theory increase someone’s chances of finding “their person,” but it just creates a cycle of superficiality. 

This is what I like to call the “one-swipe-away mentality” — people are spending more time on the apps because they think the more time they do, the chances of finding true love increase. 

Snap judgments based on appearance lead to superficial observations about the other person. This is not to say that physical attraction does not matter, but the appearance-based focus makes it harder to connect on a deeper level. 

Users are also constantly seeking validation through likes, blinded by the feeling of being wanted. It is almost like a game of “who can you get the most attention from for the least amount of work.”  The apps have almost become just another social media platform with an overwhelming, constant stream of people to look at. 

Having a “roster” — a constant stream of relationship prospects — can be either exhilarating or debilitating. Drawing from personal experience, it can greatly impact self-confidence at times. 

Constantly having your appearance judged by so many people every day leads to emotional burnout. It is disheartening for those who put themselves out there in the hopes of finding a real connection but have yet to find their “perfect match.”

Modern dating culture leads people to believe this is the only way to connect. Even if a match on an app leads to an actual first date, there still remains a disconnect between the pair — there is a false sense, or even lack of chemistry between matches because their meeting was not organic. 

Even though it may seem like it, not all hope is lost. We just need to re-embrace face-to-face dating. I mean, how else do we expect those rom-com style meet-cutes to happen? 

We’ve become more connected to our technology than we are to each other. Instead of spending hours swiping on an app, try introducing your friend to the cute person in your class, or talk to the person you see reading your favorite book in Monroe Park — don’t be afraid to put yourself out there. 

While it may sound cliche and optimistic, there is potential for everyone to find that special someone.