Best Single Male Friend: Matt’s Take on Dating During COVID

As someone who has been using online dating platforms for almost a decade the Corona Virus Pandemic has added a new twist to the process. Although it is certainly not ideal, to those willing to embrace this change I think they may find themselves making more meaningful connections. You may never get rid of those who use the apps for attention seeking, as a platform for rants, scams, hookups or a myriad of other reasons not conducive to finding a relationship but I have certainly noticed a change. This new normal has brought people to the world of online dating that might not have considered it before. People who were resistant to the idea of online dating are now embracing it as the most viable option in this time of isolation. Besides the advantage of a larger pool of dating prospects, generally people seem to be taking more time to invest in what they say in their profiles and reflect a little more inwardly on themselves and what they want from a partner. Yes, online dating will most likely forever be a mostly superficial “meat market” where often pictures matter more than content. But I would like to think and hope that because of Covid, people who are serious about finding someone will take more time get to know someone before meeting them. I am hopeful this effort and time should create a deeper connection than just a quick he/she is cute “Hey, want to get a drink”.  After all we are all looking for the same thing, companionship in a time where you choose who you have contact with carefully. Just like the boom of virtual meetings, it is possible this could be the beginning of the golden age of online dating.