You guys. Let’s talk about DATING.
Some of you are all yayyyyy and some of you are all OMG stop reminding me that I’m single.
Me? I personally love talking about dating. I think it’s fun, and I think girls need to stop being so pessimistic about dating and get EXCITED about the opportunity to meet new people! I also really want to get rid of the stigma that surrounds things like online dating because they can actually be incredible opportunities to meet people (even though I kinda sorta feel like social media has made us terrible daters).
BUT. I digress. Those are tangents I’ll save for another post 😉
Anyway, we’ve already covered Tinder, so now it’s on to another popular dating app – Hinge.
Hinge isn’t exactly a new app, but I’ve been meaning to post about it for a while.
Some basics of Hinge:
* Hinge works by connecting to your Facebook (but doesn’t share anything on your FB)
* you’re shown either mutual friends or friends of a 3rd degree connection
* you’re only matched with someone if you mutually “favorite” each other
* once you’re a match, you can chat with the person via Hinge
Here are some of the pros and cons I’ve found from using Hinge.
PROS of Hinge
1) It’s free, easy, and fun.
As someone who breathes works in social media, it never ceases to amaze me how many new ways there are to meet people. I’m ALL for that. Hinge is free, user-friendly, and a great way to meet new people – plain and simple.
2) You’re matched with mutual Facebook friends.
I think this is a genius idea. I don’t know why, but it just feels more safe and like real dating for some reason (or as they like to put it, “no randos”). It’s more like you’re being set up by a friend rather than talking to a complete stranger, in a sense.
3) You can see more information about each other.
This is the other thing that I really like about Hinge – you can see more info about the person such as where they went to school, where they work, religion, height, hobbies, etc.
(This wasn’t mine, but you get the idea)
CONS of Hinge
1) As with Tinder, intentions can be…blurry.
Unfortunately there’s no way around this other than just chatting/getting to know someone.
Side note - while it’s okay to have certain intentions (i.e. not wanting just hookups), I think it’s also good to ease up on the (unrealistic) expectations until you get to know someone.
2) You’re essentially going on blind dates.
Yeah yeah, you see photos and you chat beforehand, but there’s still nothing like meeting someone in person. The “blindness” can be fun sometimes, but I personally prefer meeting people the old fashioned way to get an idea of there’s at least some sort of connection.
3) It made me a bit jaded about dating.
This isn’t really an issue with Hinge – it’s more of an issue of mine. As much as I think online dating/dating apps are an AMAZING thing – full of opportunity to meet new people and maybe even “the one” – it takes a lot of the romance and excitement out of what I think dating is supposed to be. I’m very much a heart person, though, so that could just be my over-expectant side speaking. But overall I have noticed that dating apps have turned dating in NYC into more of a game, and that’s unfortunate.
I wish I could go into more detail about my personal experience with Hinge, buuuut gotta keep some stuff private!
(Side note - ever notice you’ve never seen a man pal here on GML? haha. I’m weird about that stuff.)
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Would love to hear your thoughts! Have you tried Hinge, or would you be interested in it?
I’m so torn about these apps! I haven’t tried them, myself. I’m notoriously picky about guys…I don’t date just to date, and I’m very much a “gut feeling” kind of person. I keep thinking about using an app just to see what would happen…but I also know that I might not take it very seriously. I don’t think I know anyone who’s used Hinge, but my roommate just lined up dates with two Tinder dudes who seem really cool, so who knows!
I know what you’re saying! I used to feel the same way, but I guess I got to a point where I figured I’ll never know if I don’t try!
So funny! I used to work for a Brooklyn-based dating website, and I got to know a ton about different dating apps, even though I have a long term boyfriend. I think it’s really cool how normal online dating is now!! I always tell my friends it’s worth a shot — you really never know!
ha love it - what was the website?
HowAboutWe 🙂
I thought you might say that! I worked with them on some events a few years back 🙂
Small world!! I also realized we’re both from outside Philadelphia — we have a lot in common, my friend 🙂
Oh interesting! I think apps and stuff make perfect sense. It’s 2014! If the technology is out there, why not use it? 🙂
Interesting! I, like you, love talking about dating! I think it’s so interesting.
And I agree, things like these dating apps kind of make me feel like we’ve just become so dependent on social media that this is the “easy way” out. I don’t really know what to think, I guess!
I don’t know if I’d ever try something like this. But, I guess I’ll never say never.
This is so interesting! I met my husband before the apps were really a big thing, so I never got the chance to experience some of that stuff with the apps. I’d never heard of Hinge though, so now I’ll know what it is when folks are talking about it!
Never heard of it, but sounds similar to tinder! I like the idea, but I’m more old fashioned and like meeting guys the usual way haha. Too bad Florida sucks -__-
Something about the idea of dating apps really creeps me out. I don’t know why! I’m just now getting around to the idea of online dating, so maybe it’s one step at a time. I guess I’ve heard success stories about online dating, so I know it has some validity. Now, I just need to hear some success stories about the apps!
I think they’re also a lot more prevalent in the big cities. They’re totally the norm here!
Ugh, I’m so conflicted about these dating apps!
One, hinge isn’t huge in Richmond, so a lot of my matches are in DC. Too far = automatic “nope.”
Two, Tinder, I agree, has such blurred intentions. I’m always tempted to write “I’M A BIG PRUDE AND I WON’T SLEEP WITH YOU.” right smack dab at the top of my profile.
I keep them on my phone because I feel like it’s silly to close any door to meeting new people. But on the other hand, I find my inner self being so flippant toward people who actually message me, that it defeats the purpose. Because, really, what’s wrong with us that we can’t approach people in person anymore?
Obviously, I can’t figure it out. 🙂 I think I’m just a romantic who wants some dude to throw me over his shoulder and take me out. I’ll keep you posted if that ever happens. Ha!
xox
haha, I hear ya! bummer Hinge isn’t big near you, maybe it will catch on soon 😉
I don’t live in the US so can’t use Hinge (Even if I could, I have, like, five friends in Asia as of yet so probably wouldn’t yield many options for me haha). I do use OkCupid, though, which I’ve actually met some quality dudes on! Maybe check that one out if you haven’t 🙂
I haven’t! Maybe I will 😉
ah pooks, we need to chat about our dating escapades! are we Facebook friends?!
I don’t think so! will find you now 😀
i have a girlfriend who does Hinge…i dabbled with Tinder (hilariousness), but i’m totally with you on these apps turning dating into a game in NYC. i definitely got sucked into that and realize it’s not for me right now, but i have good friends who have met great guys on these things, so who knows. for every bad story there’s a good, right? 🙂
Ohh I love your dating/relationship posts! Hinge sounds very similar to Tinder but it does lessen the creepy factor. Haha I agree about these apps making you jaded though- it’s so easy to swipe and pass someone based on half a second of consideration. Maybe these work for casual dating, but I think people’s intentions get tangled a lot in online dating.
Would love to hear your thoughts on Happn which is pretty cool.
I tried Happn for a few weeks and didn’t like it so deleted it. Why so secretive, anon?