Now What?

You go on Tinder, and you press that little green heart. Now what?
Well, the thing with me with online relationships is that I never talk to the people on there. Like ever. My friend recently got a Tinder, and they met 2 people on their, and have countless other conversations on there. I only have talked to three out of the eighty that I have matched with, and two of them just were kind of wierd. The one person that I actually feel comfortable with is actually pretty cool.
I don't understand exactly how to use my Tinder. I just want to know if I'm doing it right. Should I have found my dream man yet? I don't understand how to message people, and it's just awkward because you don't know what to say to them. Hi sounds awful boring when you're trying to make a reasonable first impression.
Maybe Tinder just ain't for me. Maybe I suck at connecting and making connections. Or maybe, just maybe, I need to look past my judgement coat, and not be so self-conscious about everything.

Why Are We On Tinder?

Tinder is the place where all singles can roam freely. Some lie, some alter their pictures to make them seem a little bit better to look at. But here's the million dollar question...why are we on Tinder?
Well, I'm on Tinder because I am completely and utterly romantically challenged. I have no idea how to flirt, so being online helps me have a little bit less pressure. However, some people use it for different reasons, which ultimately give the app a bit of a bad name. Some use the app for sex, which really scares me because why would you have sex with a complete and utter perfect stranger.
For anyone who knows me, we can probably say that I'm Jess Day. I'm awkward, funny, and rock those large hipster-style glasses like no one's business. I'm not the type of girl who does the hook-up things. I do the let's get to know each other first things. I have over 80 matches, and I do feel good about the app. I do however, from time to time, get odd messages. But, at the end of the day, I feel like this app has the goal of bringing people together. And, with people more likely to stay together who met on the internet, why not try Tinder?
 And, if you're a creep, chances are your ass is going to get blocked. I'm a lady, not your prositiute, and will not and ever be 'DTF'.

Virtual to Actual

The one downfall to meeting someone online is that you want to meet them in person. And, in some case, that's probably the point. I mean, you probably want to take it a step further than just simply being someone that the dude talks to on Tinder.
My friend recently got a Tinder, and has raised this question. How do you take someone who you've met on the inter webs, and transform them to an actual, boyfriend? When is it not creepy to say 'hi, i think we should try to go out on a date.'
We live in a society where the internet has been given a bad name. We live in a society where we doubt the person behind the screen is actually the person behind that screen. We live in a world where people lie, and society begins to lose faith in love, in addition to trust.
So, what if you meet someone wonderful? Someone that makes you pretty gosh darn happy, and someone that makes you feel like a person. Someone that makes you laugh, and someone that you can just be with. Is the fact that you met online a deal breaker, because they may as well just be a serial killer.
What is the protocol for taking your online relationships, offline?'

Like what you see? Check out my other blog, Finding My Voice.

Who Are You In Real Life?

Have you ever met someone on Tinder, and thought that they were pretty awesome. They are the type of people who you have a lot in common with, are actually not creepy, and you know are pretty damn cool people?
Well, remember Mr. Marvelous? If you don't you should read about him here. Well, I decided to message him again. And we've been talking ever since like Thursday. He's pretty nice, flirty, and all of that jazz. However there's something that I don't like about him. And, that's how we met.
I've watched too many episodes of Catfish to wonder whose the person behind the phone. Is he real? Is he a 40 year old posing as a 20 year old? If he someone who he says his not? Yes, these are a lot of questions, but you do have to consider them when you're talking to someone on a site like Tinder. You don't know who you're talking to.
I guess it's safe to say that he's a pretty cool person, and we're both down to keep talking. However, I don't know what's the deal or what's going on here. We haven't meet in the virtual world, where the person that you're talking to isn't exactly who they say that they are. So, my guard's up higher than it would be if I met him in class or somewhere else.
But, he's pretty perfect, and I just told him that I'm pollotarian. 

How To Spot The Tinder Tools...

Tinder is a wonderful place for creeps to roam, as are most dating websites are. So, how do you avoid those creeps? It's simple, and yes it can be done.
Don't 'like' anyone you don't know. If you don't have any mutual friends, than you should just swipe left. One thing that I try to do as a precaution is to check who they are friends with. You never know with some people so it's important to be as cautious as humanly possible.
Use the block button. On Facebook, I rarely block people unless they spammed me to the point of no return. However, on Tinder, I try to use that button as much as possible. If they ask you if you're 'dtf' then they are getting blocked. Same if they ask me to Snapchat, or any other method that makes me feel uncomfortable. However, use the block button with people who you genuinely think are creepy. Once you block someone, they are blocked forever in Tinderworld.
Beware of the selfies. Guys who post pictures of their abs? #aintnobodygottimeforthat Guys who post pictures of themselves in front of a mirror? #swipeleft  Picture of them with a fancy car? #toolforsure. Usually, I'm very good at judging if someone's a tool, but those are my basic indicators.
How do you know if someone's a Tinder Tool? Comment below!