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Relationships

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Online dating, not as bad as people say?

55 replies

SapphireCat · 02/07/2026 10:41

I was just reading that India Reynolds (love island) has gone official with her partner, and apparently they met on Hinge.

It got me thinking about how online dating often seems to get a bad reputation. People are always saying the best way to meet someone is through hobbies, clubs, or in everyday life, but I do wonder how realistic that is for a lot of people.

If someone like India, (who is incredibly stunning) who you’d imagine has plenty of opportunities to meet people in real life, ended up finding her partner on a dating app, maybe online dating isn’t the “last resort” some people make it out to be.

I also wonder how often people actually meet partners organically these days. It feels like unless you’re exceptionally attractive, most women probably aren’t regularly being approached by men in everyday life, so relying on chance meetings might not be that realistic for the average person.

Have dating apps just become the main way people meet now, despite the criticism they often get? Interested to hear other people’s experiences.

OP posts:
Hito · 03/07/2026 22:43

OLD and Covid lock down worked. Lots of phone dates and phone sex. Great fun and hot!!

Hotandpointy · 03/07/2026 23:10

Have you tried speed dating? That’s a good laugh and you get to meet lots of people in a safe environment and get face to face vibes, if you click with anyone you can swap numbers, if not, you never have to see them again, win win!

I must say I quite enjoyed my time online dating but that was 20 years ago so it’s maybe a bit different now. I wouldn’t write it off though.

TheWildZebra · 03/07/2026 23:15

Many of my friends and relatives met their partners on dating apps/websites. I married mine and we met on Bumble. Had to kiss a lot of frogs before getting to that stage but decided to treat it as cultural research and horizon building. I think you have to just not take anything too personally and be clear about what your expectations are, without also being too rigid. Was certainly bleak at times but my husband is A* and sometimes i find it scary to think that we would never have met if not through a dating app.

Candicebarker · 14/07/2026 18:21

Online dating does work for some people. In life, there aren't many absolutes.

LittleJustice · 14/07/2026 20:30

PurpleTurtleMoose · 02/07/2026 13:17

I met my husband on tinder. We've now been together 10 years and have a child.

I actually enjoyed online dating. I think the key is not to expect every date to be your cup of tea. Some people will not be good company and it's a bad evening, and some will be fun but not what you're looking for. I went with the flow, and eventually my husband came along.

Edited to add, one reason online dating worked better for me is I prefer shy, thoughtful guys. They're unlikely to approach someone to ask them out in real life, so online was where to find them!

Also, I don't understand the criticism from some people that you can't know if you'll like someone from a photo, of course you can't, that's why you go on a date to find out. Just as if someone asks you out in real life, you won't know till you try.

Overall I'm a big fan of online dating. I even miss it now I'm married!

Edited

Similar experience here I'm mid-50s now and came out of a long marriage and actually thought online dating was great because I'm a bit shy in real life and never think that anybody would fancy me but in fact I got loads of attention on online dating and had a lot of fun flirting, chatting and dating. Keeping it light. I enjoy meeting new people and get on well with men so that helps i think.

Then I met my lovely current partner on Tinder and that was that.

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