Dating is like the game that you don’t really want to play, but all your friends are doing it so you decide to join in.
You have no idea what’s going on at first (like is flat-out honesty a good strategy?), but the more you play, the better you get.
You start to know it all too well. Move two spaces forward to first kiss. Move back one for sharing that embarrassing story about your pants ripping in 5th grade. Friend-zoned, go back to start. Move three spaces forward, first date. Lose your next turn, he’s “out of town for the week.” Yeah, we know the dating game all too well. And yet, so do your grandma, her grandma, and all your ancestors. The dating game is nothing new, but here are some things that have changed along the way:
Movies
Then:
Movie theatres were a hot date-spot, for sure. The perfect opportunity for the guy to make the first move: put his arm around you—or the seat, hold your hand, or, depending on player skills, makeout.
Now:
Three words: Nextflix and chill. For real, why spend $22 (at least) on a two-hour film when you can binge watch an entire season of Dexter? Given, your man’s couch is not as much of a date-environment as the downtown theatre, and you won’t really be able to show off the new designer flats you’ve just swooped on, but hey, you also won’t be paying $15 for a bag of popcorn.
Flowers
Then:
If a guy wanted to be romantic, he bought a bouquet of flowers. They’re nice and pretty, but they’re also more work for you. You have to find a good vase for them, make sure they have enough water, and then try to throw them out before all their petals are dropped on your floor.
Now:
Why go through all the hassle of buying a bouquet of flowers when a guy could just send you a virtual bouquet via Emoji? Nothing says romance like a text saying “Can’t wait to see you tonight! (Insert flower bouquet Emoji here)”
Communication
Then: It seems like ancient times when people actually had decent conversations while talking on the phone…
Now:
Like, why waste so much time when you could just send texts throughout the day? You’re able to accomplish so much more in the time in between texts. But, impersonal, voiceless messages sent back and forth don’t always equate to authentic conversations.
Arriving At The Destination
Then: He says he’s picking you up at a certain time, and that’s set. I mean, before phones, if there was a sudden change of plans… well, he’s still picking you up at that certain time.
Now:
Okay, first off, do guys even still pick girls up from their place? Nah. We text and say, let’s meet at the new café at 7. All right, cool. Oh wait, let’s make it 8, my favorite show is on. All good.
Not Arriving At The Destination
Then:
Okay, so he said he’d meet you at the park and he’s not here… he must have… gotten lost? His grandmother died? His dog is sick? He died? So. Many. Possibilities. And you’ll never know for sure.
Now:
In the day of constant communication and social update we live in, there’s no way we won’t know what’s going on. He doesn’t show up; well let’s just say he’s not that into you. And then you’ll see where he really is on instagram anyway.
Where You Met
Then:
Parties? Concerts? The mall? Grocery stores?? Where the hell do you meet your next date when there’s no online dating sites?
Now:
Ah, thank you all-mighty creator of Tinder for making the dating game resemble an actual game even more. Tinder-on.
