Tinder is a social media application that works based on location to find potential 'matches'. The app is particularly used for hookups and information about a person who you like is retrieved from Facebook. A user could optionally add a short bio in the Tinder account. The app works this way: If you like a user, you swipe right after viewing the user's picture. If you don't, you swipe left. If you swipe right (that is, liking a user) on another profile that swipes right on your own profile image, you potentially get a match. Once you're matched with someone, you can now chat with the other party and hook up with the consumer. The app can only be used on mobiles. Tinder is really great and fun but like several other social media apps, it has its pros and cons.
What is Tinder Primarily Used For? Dating or Hookups?
What is Tinder? Is the Tinder app primarily used just to 'get down' with a desirable short-term partner or for people looking for serious, long-term relationships? To determine the answer to this question, a series of issues have to be understood first.
Why do people use Tinder?
A great answer to this could be found in a survey in which former and existing Tinder users participated in. The age range of those who partook in the survey was from 18 to 30 and the number of participants was 266. Reports concluded most users were looking for people to meet with and date, and less than half of the 'relationship finders' population were looking to have one night stands or hookups.
Another survey conducted on 395 young adults ranging from age 18 to 34 concluded that about 8.9% of users were looking for relationships and only a mere 5.1% were looking for hookups. Other motives for using Tinder included peer pressure, feeling excited at being desired when they met a match and easy communication with other users. When people get matched on Tinder, they endeavor to meet one another. During the course of this meeting, they make their decisions known and if it is mutual, then they act on their decision. Both surveys basically prove relationships are more sought on Tinder than hookups. The question however still remains; What exactly is Tinder's success ratio for dating?
Comparing Dating on Tinder to Physical Dating
- Physical and emotional expectations
When two people match on Tinder and agree to meet, they want to see the person they fantasized about in real life. And that's where actual hookups win over Tinder hookups. Pictures could sometime be deceiving. Also, people could be very confident online and when they meet up with you, you wonder where all that boldness is gone. When physically meeting someone for the first time, the manner in which you two click will be the same manner you always will click.
- Selection of sexual partners
In terms of dating or hooking up with people, Tinder users generally are less selective of potential mating partners than people who prefer physical hookups. On social media, people tend to use the very best of their pictures or choose pictures where photo enhancement filters are added for their profiles. The average Tinder user understands the fact that whoever he/she will meet up with might not be the same attractive personality as seen on pictures online. In the case of a hookup, the Tinder user is more likely to ignore selective tendencies and have sex with the party being hooked up with. People who stick with physical hookups basically prefer to analyze the party they're hooking up with and are more selective. Those who stick to physical dating tend to be more sexually disgusted by people as opposed to Tinder users.
- Long-term relationship basis
It's easier for a physical meeting between two parties to develop into a long-term relationship than dating on Tinder. It is regarded that meeting people at parties, bars, through friends and family or social events give you a better chance of having a long-term relationship with the other person than when you meet someone on Tinder. This basically gives an insight into what Tinder is.
Rational Treatment towards Social Media
Some people are addicted to their cell phones and simply don't know how to stay off Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat, Tinder and any other social media app they're tangled with. Too much of everything is bad and when you become addicted to something, that's a sign you need to start letting go of that particular thing. The first step in ending your social media addiction is by:
1. Realizing the source of the social media addiction
Several people have different reasons for always checking their social media feeds. You simply may not be able to get your eyes off the incoming stream of notifications hitting up your phone or you might have a lot of 'online friends' who you talk to all the time. It could also stem from boredom or lack of socialization in the real world. The first step is, however, the key to ending your social media addiction.
2. Blocking the source of your social media addiction
If you feel you can't let go of social media because of the endless notifications, then it might be time to switch off your data connection and delete many social media applications on your phone. You need to realize all that social media feed-scrolling wastes your time. You could spend hours on social media dating apps like Tinder because you think Tinder is for dating. While you may be right and find the perfect partner on Tinder, your social media addiction is signaling that it's time to get out there and date.
3. Find something to replace your social media addiction
You'd only deceive yourself if you think you can lie in bed all day trying not to re-install these social media apps. In the end, you'll lose the struggle. Getting rid of an addiction creates a hole and that hole needs to be filled. You'll need something productive to keep you distracted at first, and then eventually get your mind off social media. You could simply start by finding a new activity you find gratifying and get someone to either learn with you or teach you about it. Physical interactions put an end to social media addiction since a lot of social media addicts find solace in chatting online because they avoid physical relationships. Constant repetition of activity takes your mind off social media eventually.
Synopsis
Tinder is part of social media and like any social media app, you could get addicted to it. At a point, everyone gets addicted to something. The key is to break off from that dependence because like all other vices, they could be harmful. The step by step guide to ending the addiction is listed in the article above. The relationship and hookup part of Tinder is also discussed. Some wonder if Tinder is for hookups alone. Through Tinder, you could meet a particular person you find sexually or emotionally compatible. The article discusses your chances of building a solid relationship with a potential partner on Tinder