Some say dating apps have madefinding loveeasier than ever. But not every swipe leads to romance—sometimes, things go hilariously or painfully wrong.Just ask these people, who had suchawkward encountersthat they couldn’t resist screenshotting the evidence and sharing it with the world. Below, we’ve gathered some of their most cringeworthy moments—from rude replies to jokes that fell flat.Scroll down to check them out, and don’t miss our chat with dating coach Abi Blears about how these apps are shaking up modern relationships.More info:Website|Facebook|Instagram|YouTubeThis post may includeaffiliate links.
Some say dating apps have madefinding loveeasier than ever. But not every swipe leads to romance—sometimes, things go hilariously or painfully wrong.
Just ask these people, who had suchawkward encountersthat they couldn’t resist screenshotting the evidence and sharing it with the world. Below, we’ve gathered some of their most cringeworthy moments—from rude replies to jokes that fell flat.
Scroll down to check them out, and don’t miss our chat with dating coach Abi Blears about how these apps are shaking up modern relationships.
More info:Website|Facebook|Instagram|YouTube
This post may includeaffiliate links.
Online dating is more popular than ever, with nearlythree in 10 U.S. adultssaying they’ve used a dating site or app.Over 40%actually believe it has made finding a partner easier.But it’s not all sunshine and roses—Pew Research Centerfound that in recent years, more people using dating apps have ended up feeling frustrated (45%) rather than hopeful (28%). Among Gen Z, that frustration is even more intense,with 79% reporting burnoutfrom the endless swiping and messaging.
Online dating is more popular than ever, with nearlythree in 10 U.S. adultssaying they’ve used a dating site or app.Over 40%actually believe it has made finding a partner easier.
But it’s not all sunshine and roses—Pew Research Centerfound that in recent years, more people using dating apps have ended up feeling frustrated (45%) rather than hopeful (28%). Among Gen Z, that frustration is even more intense,with 79% reporting burnoutfrom the endless swiping and messaging.
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Some of themost common complaintspeople have aboutdating appsinclude the sting of rejection or the boredom of unending, repetitive chats that go nowhere.But there are also times when conversations take a turn for the worse, with people being unexpectedly rude or just plain cringe. To understand why this happens,Bored Pandareached out to dating coach Abi Blears.“We spend too much time talking on apps when we should be forming most of thefirst impressionin person,” believes Blears. “Texting is much more open to interpretation, and we can’t see how our joke or comment lands. In person, we can quickly smooth over a faux pas, but over text, we can’t see the look of horror sweep across the other person’s face!”
Some of themost common complaintspeople have aboutdating appsinclude the sting of rejection or the boredom of unending, repetitive chats that go nowhere.
But there are also times when conversations take a turn for the worse, with people being unexpectedly rude or just plain cringe. To understand why this happens,Bored Pandareached out to dating coach Abi Blears.
“We spend too much time talking on apps when we should be forming most of thefirst impressionin person,” believes Blears. “Texting is much more open to interpretation, and we can’t see how our joke or comment lands. In person, we can quickly smooth over a faux pas, but over text, we can’t see the look of horror sweep across the other person’s face!”
If you’ve ever felt tempted to snap back at a rude message, Blears suggests taking the high road instead. “I advise my clients to always be graceful, no matter what the other person does,” she says. “If needed, be firm but polite, and if they don’t respond well, it’s okay to wish them well and move away from the conversation.”
You can also manage awkward online chats in real time.
Asking for clarification if you’re confused, rather than immediately taking offense, can help keep the conversation on track.
It’s no surprise that dating burnout is real, especially if you keep running into dead ends. However, if you think you’re the only one struggling with modern dating, rest assured you’re not alone.67% of American daterssay their dating lives aren’t going well, and 75% think it’s harder to find someone to date now than it used to be.For many women, the experience has been particularly negative. About65% of single womenlooking to date say they’ve faced harassment, such as uncomfortable physical contact or having rumors spread about their sexual history, compared to 50% of single men.
It’s no surprise that dating burnout is real, especially if you keep running into dead ends. However, if you think you’re the only one struggling with modern dating, rest assured you’re not alone.67% of American daterssay their dating lives aren’t going well, and 75% think it’s harder to find someone to date now than it used to be.
For many women, the experience has been particularly negative. About65% of single womenlooking to date say they’ve faced harassment, such as uncomfortable physical contact or having rumors spread about their sexual history, compared to 50% of single men.
“[The dating scene] feels challenging because it is challenging,” says Blears. It’s because dating apps have changed the way we think aboutrelationships.“We have the perceived choice of many more people than we used to, which is great in some ways, but it’s proven that the more choices we have, the harder it becomes to make a decision,” she adds. “This often leads us to doubt the choices we’ve made and hop from person to person when faced with normal relationship challenges.”
“[The dating scene] feels challenging because it is challenging,” says Blears. It’s because dating apps have changed the way we think aboutrelationships.
“We have the perceived choice of many more people than we used to, which is great in some ways, but it’s proven that the more choices we have, the harder it becomes to make a decision,” she adds. “This often leads us to doubt the choices we’ve made and hop from person to person when faced with normal relationship challenges.”
Moreover, trying to find someone who truly shares your outlook on life is more exhausting than not. “You’re more likely to encounter people who have different morals and values from your own, or who simply aren’t looking for a relationship,” notes Blears. “You have to weed through all of this while staying motivated, and that’s not easy.”
On top of that, conversations on dating apps can come to a sudden stop, leaving you wondering what went wrong.“Ghosting is a new phenomenon that has a huge impact on self-esteem, and the introduction of apps causes us to focus on the information in front of us and form quick, less accurate opinions of people,” notes Blears.“In the past, our first impressions were more accurate because we would only meet a person face-to-face.”
On top of that, conversations on dating apps can come to a sudden stop, leaving you wondering what went wrong.
“Ghosting is a new phenomenon that has a huge impact on self-esteem, and the introduction of apps causes us to focus on the information in front of us and form quick, less accurate opinions of people,” notes Blears.
“In the past, our first impressions were more accurate because we would only meet a person face-to-face.”
“Our romantic lives are not product,”argueswriter Magdalene J. Taylor in an opinion essay forThe New York Times. “They should not be subjected to monthly subscription fees, whether we’re the ones paying or we’re the ones people are paying for.”“Dating apps treat people like commodities, and encourage us to treat others the same. We are not online shopping. We are looking for people we may potentially spend our lives with.”So, who knows? Maybe we’ll soon be swapping app swipes for good old-fashioned chats with strangers at bars. Whatever the future holds, we hope it brings you closer to finding your soulmate!
“Our romantic lives are not product,”argueswriter Magdalene J. Taylor in an opinion essay forThe New York Times. “They should not be subjected to monthly subscription fees, whether we’re the ones paying or we’re the ones people are paying for.”
“Dating apps treat people like commodities, and encourage us to treat others the same. We are not online shopping. We are looking for people we may potentially spend our lives with.”
So, who knows? Maybe we’ll soon be swapping app swipes for good old-fashioned chats with strangers at bars. Whatever the future holds, we hope it brings you closer to finding your soulmate!
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