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Are People Even Dating Anymore
Is there a way out of the talking stage? Are people even going out on dates?
The days of aimlessly swiping around Tinder, exchanging a few messages, and grabbing a drink with a match that matches your taste in less than 24 hours are long gone.
Dating has taken on a new meaning for individuals and couples separated by the pandemic. It’s no longer about going to the movies, conversing for hours at your favorite restaurants, or simply getting together for a walk around the lake. Instead, zoom dates, more Zoom dates, and even more Zoom dates have replaced those traditional dates. And maybe hanging around in a park, six feet apart, talking loudly to each other.
That was so 2020.
It’s now 2021, and we are still in the middle of a pandemic. People have become more comfortable staying home and texting or talking online to potential mates. This is where we get stuck in the talking stage.
The “talking stage” and the concept of “talking” to someone are terms that have recently become popular among Gen-Z’ers. And I’ll be the first to confess that this is one of the most perplexing concepts I’ve ever encountered. So many of us wonder, “What does it even mean?” What should my expectations be? What should be the next step?