The dating industry has gone through significant changes over the last few decades. A big part of that change has been the shift towards the internet and online dating. Online dating has now been cemented in our society as the standard for dating for the last 20 years. Now it’s very common for singles to use apps to aide their search for potential partners.
But guess what? Coronavirus has caused another big shift in the dating world. Lockdown presents several challenges for those who want to seek out and meet other people. There is good news though. Despite the challenges, the dating process has changed during the pandemic for the better.
Consider these three ways the novel coronavirus has transformed the dating industry:
1. Video Chats
This is an obvious one. Most of us tune in to Zoom or Facetime to stay in touch with family and friends. Singles too, use these services to video chat with prospective partners.
In fact, a Match.com survey found that almost 70% of respondents were interested in having video chats. Before coronavirus, only 6% of people used online video chats to woo a partner.
Here’s why this is such a significant development. Via video chat, singles can learn early on whether the people they are speaking to actually appear to physically match the claims in their profiles. It’s also possible to get a decent sense of the person’s personality and get a sense of physical attraction as well.
Now, this initial step of vetting a prospective partner occurs in the comfort of your own home without committing to a costly and time-consuming outing. This, without a doubt, is most certainly a very positive development for singles.
2. Less Pressure
Dating during coronavirus also helps singles not rush the dating process. Not having to commute to work (if they still have a job), many singles have more time on their hands. Thus, they can take more time to get to know a potential partner.
This also means they can have multiple video dates with a prospective partner before deciding if they want a face-to-face date. This can be helpful because it is a return to an old-fashioned sense of values when it comes to getting to know someone else.
Being physically intimate has for now been tabled or delayed for most dating singles. That’s not necessarily a bad thing. Before the pandemic, a significant number of singles would choose to be more physically intimate before getting to know each other. Now, that process has slowed down considerably, people appear to have returned to a time of more traditional dating values and fewer “hookups.”
3. Finances
Let’s face it; it can get very expensive to go on a lot of dates. Dinner, movies, etc. all add up quickly. Now, having multiple video chats or even some social distancing hikes are free.
So, the $10,000 question is “How does a couple in a pandemic decide when, how, or even if to get together in person?”
The good news is that couples who can navigate this issue are likely on track to be in successful relationships. That’s because this topic requires communicating effectively with one another.
Couples will have to agree ahead of time on the expectations for meeting face-to-face. For instance, they need to determine:
- if they will wear masks
- whether to be physically distant
- if they are open to any affection or intimacy
Successfully navigating these topics together highlights a level of compatibility between potential partners. It requires communicating what your tolerance is for risk and the willingness to have that dialogue with one another. Successfully navigating those conversations is a good indicator of the potential compatibility between prospective partners.
Relationship dating, like almost everything else in our society, has had to adjust by forming new norms because of the coronavirus pandemic. But for most singles dating in the coronavirus world, things appear to have changed mostly for the better. Are you are struggling to navigate dating in this new age of COVID-19? Don’t hesitate to get support for singles counseling by talking with a skilled therapist.