Okay, okay. So as college students, most of us are guilty; swiping left and right late at night on the app we all know of- Tinder, a free location-based dating app known for easy accessible hookups. For those of you who do not know exactly how Tinder works, I shall explain the process to you. First, you download the app (it is free, which probably explains why almost every college student has it) and link your Facebook account to it, verifying that you are a real person and not a fake “catfish.” You then choose your best six photos and write a brief bio and BAM! You officially have a Tinder. With this app, you are connected with people your age in your area. You can either swipe left (meaning you are not into them) or you can swipe right (meaning you find them attractive). If both people mutually swipe right, they are both notified that they have “matched” and have the opportunity to chat!
There's many reasons I do not like this app. This app promotes "hook-ups" and the never -ending "talking" phase. However, the main reason that I am disgusted by this app is just the fact that this app is the most shallow creation ever. We have been taught all our lives to never "judge a book by its cover" yet this app encourages impulse judgement solely on appearance. Tinder users only see the first name, age, and picture when swiping left and right. If they want to read their bio, they must click on the picture and read the description. People are absolutely judging based on looks, which is ridiculously superficial.
According to dictionary.com, the word “tinder” can be defined as a “dry, flammable material, such as wood or fire, used for lighting a fire.” To me, this app has ignited the “hookup” culture in our generation today. It is very rare these days, especially for students in college, to go on “dates.” Now, by dates I do not mean going out to a fancy dinner. I simply mean just getting to know someone instead of hooking up the first time you meet them.
Students constantly complain how difficult it is to be in a relationship in college because they believe everyone is just looking for the next hook-up. This may be true but only to Tinder users. Not going to lie, if someone tells me that they have a Tinder, I do look at them differently. Why do they need this app? Can they not confront and compliment someone in person expressing their interest? How many people are they flirting with at once? Hiding behind a screen is the least romantic thing someone can do.
I encourage all girls and guys to get off Tinder! I hate to break it to you but nobody is going to find their Tinderella or Prince Tinder on this silly app. Because while you may be messaging someone that has matched with you and the conversation is going well, they are messaging their other 100+ matches.
It means so much more to just say hello and introduce yourself in person than it is to say hey in a direct message on Tinder. Eye contact and even just physically speaking to someone is so different than reading a text message on this "dating" app.
Chivalry and overall romance has been burned out and won't spark up again until our generation wakes up and realizes that this app Tinder has truly sparked the flame of destruction of romance in today's culture.
