To think online dating profiles should include a video?

[Teaandbicciesplease]

Hear me out first!

The biggest problem I have with online dating is trying to get a sense of a person from just photos and text. I need to hear their voice, see how they carry themselves, if they are funny and outgoing or quiet and reserved, and if they take themselves too seriously. It's impossible to learn those things from exchanging text messages but much easier from watching a short video. It wouldn't need to be improvised, they could read from a script or even recite a poem.

Aibu to ask OLD matches for a short video presentation from now on?

I’d never have done that if it was a requirement! I understand why you want it but no.

Most people are horrifically unnatural in front of the camera so it's a no from me.

If the unsolicited pictures I get sent on dating apps are anything to go by, allowing videos would be a nightmare (but I agree it’s hard to judge someone by pictures and text - making first dates on apps an absolute minefield!)

Recite a poem?!

No no no no no.

You think people will act natural on a video and that will give you a good idea of what they're like?!

I can't imagine anything more contrived and I wouldn't do it.

A video won't tell you what you want to know a date will.

There will never be any substitute for just meeting someone in person to see how you click. Most people would be horribly uncomfortable in front of a camera and you still wouldn't really get an idea of what they're like in the flesh.

I think you've got a point OP.

Long ago (almost 10 years now) when I was doing the dating sites dance, I lost count of the dates I went on and knew instantly it was a no because the person I was meeting had been less than honest/ relied on flattering photos, or had an odd voice, bad teeth, no care about their appearance, or for some other reason gave me the ick. I think a video would have saved me from 90% of that!

Likewise I know there were men who didn't find me as attractive as they expected to, for whatever reason. I think it cuts both ways.

I know a couple of people who have been on dating sites during Covid and have been having Skype or Zoom chats instead of dates, they said they found based on those most of the people who looked good on paper actually weren't, and even now they can meet up face to face, they're continuing to have an initial video chat to weed out the ones they wouldn't be attracted to.

No never
Couldn’t imagine anything more horrific.
Took a lot just to put a picture on!

I think it would give a better idea than some typed out words and a photo, but doing it would be so awful. Especially for the sort of person I’d go for!
A phone call ticks the same boxes I think?

Just FaceTime before you meet surely

Like those cheesey 90s dating tapes?

It would be a no from me as well, I would hate that.

@NigellaSeed

Like those cheesey 90s dating tapes?

Yes! The 90s seems to be coming back in fashion so I sense a business opportunity there.

Ever heard of FaceTime OP?

I think this is a good idea - a massive time saver.

Although don't filters work on videos now, too?

Lily Lineker's Love Bureau dating service

If you ask them for a video, don't be surprised when you get one of them wanking. An easy way to progress from dick pics!

Absolutely fucking not

Text, photos, videos….IMO you need to see someone in the flesh to have any idea if they are suitable. A bloke I work with does OLD, in a photo he looks ok but I feel sorry for any girl he meets as he has horrendous BO and low hygiene generally.