OK, finally ditched the Windows phone from 2012 and got an iPhone–I can use apps now, whoo hoo!
I plan to do Tinder. I have looots of experience doing online dating on OKCupid and POF. So I don’t need generic advice, but I do need advice about how to get the most out of Tinder:
• Tell me if I should skip it altogether. These things are changing all the time, and for all I know, Tinder sucks now.
• What are good strategies for using the app specifically? (White hat, not scammy stuff.)
• How does the app try to charge you or rip you off? (I saw that there were “in-app purchases”–I hope it’s not a Candy Crush nickel-and-dime grift.)
There’s an app/dating site, Bumble, which is primarily woman-driven. I have a friend who’s had relatively shoddy results from Tinder scored a very decent long-term relationship on that. Anecdotal evidence, of course, but…eh. It’s a data point.
The only difference is what happens after a match. On Bumble, the woman must make the first reply. If she doesn’t do so within 24 hours, the match disappears. I have no idea how it works for same sex matches.
I’m also married, so no first hand experience. But my coworker in his mid-20s uses Tinder and has met a few girls from the app. My understanding is that he is pretty much the target age demographic and that most users are not looking for a long term relationship.
As a side note, I remember back then thinking that a Windows phone might be cool. So glad I averted that crisis.
There may be a certain embarrassment factor in admitting to using it. I’m entirely out of the dating world, but I’ve always heard Tinder described as where one goes to look for short-term sex (and only that). Users may worry that admitting to using it could lead to slut-shaming or other people thinking they’re a PUA.