So a girl walks into a bar, realizing that she has either been out of the “game” for a while due to winter hibernation, or the game has changed forever. After a wine or two, she begins to realize that everyone here is coupled-up and they all look painfully uncomfortable. Did these people meet on Match.com or something? It’s a Friday night, why does everyone look like they just had the worst Monday ever, she thought. I am sure you can guess that this girl is me; totally stunned by the scene around me.My cousin laughed and suggested these people might have met on the app Tinder. “What the hell is Tinder?” Wow, did I feel out of it. I don’t know if it was the wine or my curiosity, but I decided to download the app and find out for myself. Can’t say I found a catch right away, but it wasn’t hard to catch on. If you are like me and not familiar with this app, here’s the 411. You literally judge someone by their appearance or brief bio. Then comes the big decision, you either swipe right if you’re interested or swipe left if you’re not… so romantic, right?!!
In the beginning, I found this process to be hilarious and have to admit it was fun – but that could have been due to the wine. This was crazy; I had my very own flip-book filled with 25 year old guys! I finally decided to swipe to the right and what do you know, we were a match! But be careful ladies; don’t expect to be swept off your feet just because you and your Tinder match both swiped right. My excitement wore off after his lame pickup line.
That’s when I thought how it would’ve been cool if there was another swipe option to maybe offer to introduce him to someone more his type. Sadly, it doesn’t work that way.
On the plus side, I didn’t find the app to be unsafe, at least for someone like myself who is careful about what they put online. If a conversation was creepy or distasteful, I blocked the person; therefore, we were no longer a match on Tinder and that person could no longer see my profile. On the other hand, I became a tad uncomfortable when I began receiving Instagram followers, friend requests on Facebook and even LinkedIn requests from people on Tinder (you know who you are.)
Connecting with someone on various social media outlets, doesn’t mean you will connect on a deeper level. Call me old fashioned but I believe great love comes when you least expect it- preferably not from an unexpected tinder message at 1AM. Realize that your probably not going to fall Head Over Heels in love on Tinder.
I was asked out a few times on Tinder and I can’t deny I was excited to have my Andie Anderson moment, write a great story about the Tinder dating life, which would obviously lead into my How To Lose a Guy in 10 Days sequel. However, after going on a date with someone sweet, I knew I couldn’t go through with it. While the app is full of creeps, there are in fact nice guys on it. Although the game has changed, I hate the idea of playing games. Looks like I just fast-forwarded to the end of my sequel.
A week later a girl walks into a bar… with the same partner in crime, settling in with a nice glass of wine, only this time she’s not looking on her cell phone, or a guy for that matter… Because when you’re with good company and cocktails it feels just right…
Pinky To Posh 
I went on a social media dating site as an experiment. I wanted to see what the experience was like and to see if it worked.
I’m no longer on the okcupid site, but I’ve learned so much about online dating!
And I completely agree with you, that love finds you when you least expect it (life can be full of sweet surprises).
As a blogger, I was kind of hesitant about writing about my online dating experience with readers, but I realized I didn’t have anything to hide. So I wrote one entitled “catfished” http://officialvictoriasong.wordpress.com/2014/02/28/catfished/
But I had to write a follow up on that post because my experience began to change.
“Catfished; update” http://officialvictoriasong.wordpress.com/2014/03/16/catfished-update/
Thank you so much for sharing. I really enjoyed reading about your insights and experience!
Best,
Victoria
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