Swipe that, Baby!

We will in a world today that is more connected through devices today than a smile. Or at least that is what I have come to believe. Dinner conversations are often replaced by instagramming the food or selfies and birthday wishes are Facebook posts more often than a a phone call. Why then should meeting new people be any different.

I for one have been very skeptical of dating sites or apps. However, after a pretty tearful breakdown in front of a dear friend, I was encouraged (by the same friend) to give it a try. Just to have a new experience (and I am guessing, make use of the memory on my phone to download some new apps).

So began my tryst with Tinder. My exposure to the app until then was limited to funny posts on sites like Buzzfeed and Distractify. I (cautiously) logged into it. I was careful while swiping and found myself swiping left to most. The few I did swipe right to, seemed like decent guys (with not-so-bad grammar and non-wannabe seeming, in my opinion).

After spending around 10 minutes on this exercise, I got on to doing some work, which meant leaving my phone aside for a while. When I went back to it, I was genuinely surprised to see some messages from the people I had swiped right to!

It's not been long since I joined the app, but I have learnt somethings.

First, we need to find new names for boys! Like seriously, there must be at least three duplicate names in the very very few I swiped right. How many Rahuls and Amits  (random names people, not necessarily once I swiped right) are there in my 15 kilometer radius!!??

I also learnt that almost everyone loves to travel and loves food. Makes me wonder if profiles are really all that. It was funnier when I came across profiles of guys I personally know, and know for a fact they are anything but 'open to experimenting' (ask them to try a new place and they physically pale at the thought). I also realised, it's a two way sword. If they show up on my list, I may on theirs too.

Another scary, yet oddly funny, realisation, I may actually bump into an ex here. Like seriously, that's probably fate's way of staying relevant in an increasingly mechanised world :D

I remember telling my friend (the same who egged me to try it out), that the best thing about the app is that it allows to swipe left anonymously. As selfish as it may sound, there is a weird thrill in swiping left. It's like this weird sense of power while exercising choice. (This is in no way inspired by the My Choice, mind you).

It also made me aware that the app gives you a better handle on objectivity. I am not a biker chick and cannot hold my end of an intense political debate. Before I swipe right, I can (if someone has been kind enough to list something informative to that effect in his profile) get a better hang of the interest of the person. It seems pretty scientific in that sense and that was a great surprise!

Like I said, it's early days, and I may just come across an axe murderer. But until then, I am going to keep exercising my thumbs.