“Wait, you use Tinder?”
“Yeah, but I only downloaded it because my friend said it would be fun. It’s not like I am ever going to meet these people in real life.”

When asked if we use Tinder, many of us, especially the females, would lie and deny being a Tinder user, or, as seen above, make up excuses and give evasive answers. Whilst dating applications have been gaining whirlwind popularity, many of us still feel ashamed of admitting that we are on Tinder. The thought of online-dating might just sound inherently wrong to some. Others might feel the need to lie, as we don’t want people to think that we are incapable of meeting people in real life, and therefore have to rely on this as a means of forming close connections. There is a perception, or rather misperception, that people who use online-dating must have something wrong with them, and that is why they are resorting to this “inferior”, “secondary” way of meeting people.

Well, it is time you should move on from these obsolete thoughts, because really, there is nothing wrong with using Tinder, and here are a few reasons why:

1. It’s not your fault that it is getting increasingly harder to meet people. 

We all know how people say that technology has actually gotten us further apart from each other, and how it reduces genuine social interactions. Instead of meeting in person or even talking on the phone, now we simply send a message sometimes as short and unemotional as “k.” If you find it difficult to meet new people and form connections with them, it is not your fault, and you are not alone. There is nothing wrong with you.

2. I’m sure many of our parents met through their mutual friends. 

Tinder is just like that friend who helps bring two people together – it’s just that at this technologically advanced age, a person has been replaced by technology. It is no different than a waiter at a restaurant being replaced by electronic menus/iPads.

3. More people than you know are using Tinder. 

Have you ever denied being on Tinder when you really were? Was your answer yes? There you go. Most people around you are probably active Tinder users, who, like you, are simply too ashamed to admit it. So if your worry is that you don’t want to be the weird few who use Tinder, and want to stick to the status quo, you have nothing to worry about, because right now, using Tinder IS the status quo.

4. It’s perfectly normal to want to fall in love. 

Nobody wants to be lonely. We all want somebody to cuddle and drink hot chocolate with during winter. Using Tinder just shows that you are human, and that you, like millions of others, crave for more social interactions.

And if your Tinder relationship did work out in the end (congrats!), and you want to bring your partner home, just in case your parents don’t understand, you can always say you guys met in Starbucks.