Dating in London
By Sanchia Saunders
Once upon a time, serenading was one of the most popular forms of displaying affection. You could often hear Nat King Cole floating from a radio, perched on someone’s perfectly laid dining room table, and into the ears of young love birds, who would be serenading each other with words that went a little bit like this; ‘L is for the way you look at me, O is for the only one I see, V is very very extra ordinary and E is even more than anyone that you adore…..
Fast forward to the present day, and the dating scene in London has changed tremendously. No longer do lovers stroll hand in hand sharing wired headphones; instead, almost everything has switched to online. People’s heads are glued to their phones, plugged in with wireless headphones, and clutching their devices tightly.
As if you live in London currently, then you should know all about the need of holding your phone with a vice-like grip, due to mobile phones being stolen every 6 minutes.
So does this mean that love is dead?
My answer is no. You still hear love songs blasting from tinted car windows, with popular tracks among Gen Z like Ed Sheeran ‘Shape of you’ or a little bit of Cardi B and Meghan Thee Stallion Wap just to name a few ‘love songs’ that are popular amongst Gen Z these days.
However, it could be argued that traditional methods have taken a backseat, giving online dating room to grow into the multi-million-pound industry it is today. Statistics show that over one in ten UK adults use online dating services, with 61% of women seeking a meaningful connection versus 39% of men.
Why the Switch to Online Dating?
Online dating has become a popular method for different demographics, particularly Gen Z, to curate meaningful relationships on a larger scale. Leading apps like Tinder and Bumble illustrate how UK singles are turning to the internet in hopes of finding their match. Tinder topped the list among adults under 30, with 46% of online dating users, followed by Match at 31% and Bumble at 28%. Highlighting how drastically singles have switched from offline to online dating.
This could be for a number of reasons, example being that online dating allows access to more people, a sense of control and safety, and friendship. Users have the power to decide when they swipe and who they swipe for.
Dating Issues
Despite the convenience, online dating isn’t always sunshine and rainbows. Many singles feel like they’re swimming around aimlessly in search of companionship.
While some issues may seem trivial, like food choices leading to miscommunication, more serious concerns about safety exist. Between 2017 and 2021, more than 6,000 people have reported offenses linked to dating apps between 2017 and 2021. One in five were sexual offenses, highlighting why it is so important for dating apps to prioritize safety.
The Rise of New Dating Apps and Features
Even though dating can often appear daunting at times for some singles, it is not all doom and gloom, as there is a new online dating app on the rise to hopefully eliminate your dating fears and nightmares.
Although dating can feel daunting, there is a new app on the rise aiming to alleviate fears.
Evntful, with the mission to "Swipe right on traditional dating," is set to change the game. With a strong emphasis on safety, Evntful combines the best of both worlds by merging traditional and online dating.
With dating safety at the forefront of their agenda, this online platform should hopefully become a place where traditional dating meets online dating to birth the beautiful dating app baby called Evntful.
Users can book dates in-app and share their location with emergency contacts if needed. The app prompts check-ins during dates, and if users feel unsafe, they can tap "I need help" to notify contacts and Evntful's team.
The Future of Dating
While dating apps are here to stay, let’s make dating more fun and enjoyable, allowing us to embrace being single. Although many feel that traditional dating apps aren't meeting their needs, there’s been a significant rise in interest for activity-based hobbies and dating events.
Burnout and Frustration: 70% of Bumble female users feel burnt out from the pressure of messaging first. Additionally, 90% of Gen Z report feeling frustrated with dating apps.
Mismatch of Expectations: Users often find that profiles don’t accurately represent individuals, leading to disappointment on dates.
Overwhelming Choices: With so many options, decision fatigue can set in, making it difficult to commit to anyone.
For instance, Roseli Ilano, Eventbrite’s Head of Community, highlights that there were 2 million searches for dating and singles events last year alone, showcasing the demand for genuine face-to-face interactions.
People are eager to meet others who share their interests, with a notable shift towards social clubs and hobby-based events. This change, intensified by the need for authentic connections during and after the pandemic, reveals that younger generations are gravitating towards experiences that foster meaningful relationships.
As we move forward, incorporating fun date options can lead to deeper connections and a more enriching dating experience. What are your thoughts on the future of dating?
Credits:
Nat King Cole:
https://youtu.be/f_HmF84G7ZY?si=jwrFpWXEld0zgN92
BBC Phone theft:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-66442069
Shape of you:
https://youtu.be/JGwWNGJdvx8?si=8GC5BkFSMQAI7CPm
Wap:
https://youtu.be/hsm4poTWjMs?si=44C4FmsPmCeJiJoa
Pewresearch:
https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2023/02/02/key-findings-about-online-dating-in-the-u-s/#:~:text=Tinder%20tops%20the%20list%20of,%25)%20or%20Bumble%20(28%25).
The 2024 dating diary this far:
https://www.evntfuldating.com/2024-dating-diaries-update
Evntful:
https://www.evntfuldating.com/
Offline dating:
https://www.evntfuldating.com/offline-dating
Gen Zs frustrated by apps: More statistics on millennial and Gen Z dating
Gen Zs frustrated by apps:
How To Approach Women Confidently In Any Setting - Blaine Anderson
Traditional dating apps:
Targeted dating apps make match with mainstream rivals left on shelf
Evntful:
The 2024 Dating Diaries Thus Far
Evntful:
Evntful
The Future of Dating: After School by Casey Lewis Podcast
Article: Dating apps. Dating in London.
Gen Zs frustrated by apps: https://unherd.com/newsroom/gen-z-has-fallen-out-of-love-with-dating-apps
