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Where it was a bit embarrassing twenty years ago to have met your partner via a dating website, it is now very normal. Tinder, Bumble and other dating apps have become the standard nowadays. Almost all singles use these apps or register with a dating website .
If you have just gotten divorced or are starting to date again in some other way, you will want to know how the modern dating world works. In the past, seduction was a lot different than it is now, so it is useful to have a bit of a guide in the current world of dating.
Wouldn’t you like to get a little more grip by getting more information about dating? What the most popular dating apps are? And what the habits and unwritten rules of modern dating are? Dating for Dummies.
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How Dating Has Changed Over the Years
A few decades ago, there was no internet at all, let alone online dating. If you wanted to meet a partner, you did it the traditional way. You met someone on the street, at work or in a bar and you started talking to them. Or your friends arranged a blind date for you because they thought you would be a good match.
The world of dating has changed a lot in the meantime. At the beginning of the 21st century , a lot of new technology has entered the scene. With the rise of the internet, many new ways have emerged to meet people. Thousands of singles are looking for a new love on dozens of dating sites. The taboo on internet dating is disappearing more and more and slowly but surely more and more people are starting to discover the advantages of online dating.
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The rise of dating apps
In recent years, more and more dating apps have emerged. Tinder is the most popular of these, but other options include Happn , Bumble and Badoo . There are also apps from large dating websites such as Lexa and Parship , which are often aimed at more serious relationships.
The online love world is a completely different way of dating. It is therefore difficult to find your way there, if you do not know exactly what the dating rules are and how it works. Besides the fact that it has many advantages, for example that you can quickly meet new people and it takes little time, there are also a number of risks and disadvantages associated with it.
Pros and cons
The contact is then made a lot easier, but it also makes you a lot more likely to get rejected . If you are not careful, you can end up being cheated because you have ended up on the wrong dating website. Or you meet the wrong person who is stringing you along or catfishing you .
People on dating websites also increasingly have a comprehensive list of requirements with certain wishes regarding appearance and character traits. For example, someone must have brown hair and blue eyes, but also be intelligent and funny: the perfect picture. As a result, the world of dating can also be a tough world and unrealistically high expectations can arise. A number of tips that can help you get started:
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Tip 1: What and who suits you?
Before you can start dating, it is important to have a clear idea of what exactly suits you. Are you looking for a serious relationship for the long term or do you want to meet new people in a relaxed way? There are dozens of different types of dating websites and apps, which are often specifically aimed at a specific target group. For example, there are websites that focus entirely on 50 plus, highly educated people or people who are looking for a short-term, romantic adventure.
But of course you don’t necessarily have to start with online dating. Maybe that doesn’t suit you at all and you still want to meet someone the old school way. Of course that is still possible. Who knows, you might discover your new love at your sports club, a club, at work or while going out.
Tip 2: Explore the possibilities
Are you planning to start online dating? Understandable. It is an accessible and exciting way to meet new people. But as they say: good preparation is half the battle. Read more about the most popular and well-known dating websites and apps to find out which one suits you best.
Of course, you can also just try out different sites. Often you can just create an account for free and see if it suits you. By preparing yourself well, creating a nice profile and seeing if the site suits you, the chance of finding a nice match is greater.
Tip 3: Be open-minded
When you start dating it is very important to have an open mind. Try not to stick to a certain image, but explore the different possibilities. Who knows, a surprising new love might come your way.
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The most popular dating apps
Dating apps have become incredibly popular worldwide. There are so many of them now that it is difficult to decide which app to choose . However, it is important to choose an app that best suits your needs. These are 3 of the most popular dating apps in the Netherlands: Tinder, Bumble and Lexa.
Tinder: the most popular dating app worldwide
Tinder has over 26 million matches worldwide every day and has provided them with over 20 billion potential matches over the years. It is extremely popular, also in the Netherlands. The app uses a system where you see photos of a potential match. You can swipe these to the right to like that person and to the left to skip them. If you both like each other, a match is created and you can send messages to each other. The disadvantage of this app, however, is that many members are not looking for a serious relationship and that the contact remains superficial.
Bumble: Women Make the First Move
In terms of system, Bumble seems quite similar to Tinder at first glance. You swipe right to like someone and swipe left if you don’t. The big difference, however, is that in this app, women make the first move to get in touch with a man. The man then has 24 hours to respond, otherwise you lose the match.
Lexa: easy and fast dating
Nowadays Lexa is one of the most popular dating apps and is often seen as an alternative to Tinder. Thousands of Dutch download the Lexa app every month and there are also a lot of users in other countries. You can quickly send messages to each other and again this app works with a system in which you can swipe a person. The difference is that you can scroll through the profiles of people in your area.
The unwritten rules of the new dating
In addition to the way of dating has changed, the dynamics have also changed enormously through the use of dating apps. This has also led to other unwritten rules. First of all, there is no such thing as a 4th date anymore . This rule is about knowing for sure by the fourth date whether you like that person or whether you want to break off contact.
Also, there is no such thing as playing hard to get anymore . This can still work sometimes, but when you are online dating, it comes across as if you are not interested in someone. You have to show interest, because otherwise there are dozens of others who will take your place.
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Changed dating rules
Furthermore, there are also a number of dating rules that are outdated these days. For example, the man really doesn’t have to make the first move anymore, but it is often appreciated when the woman takes the initiative. The man also doesn’t always have to pay and the bill for a date is increasingly shared.
If you have had a date, it is also not necessary to wait a few days to contact again. If you do, there is a big chance that someone is already looking for more via online dating. And then something also has to be said about sex on the first date . That is also becoming more and more normal and that is why you do not necessarily have to wait until you are engaged.
The world of dating has changed tremendously. By taking the plunge, you may soon meet the love of your life.
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