How do you date?

One of the realisations I have had in the few months since being single is I have no idea how to meet people. Throughout education it was easy, there were people everywhere. New friends and friend groups to interact with, activities to partake in, new jobs and new places. Travelling was a constant stream of new faces and interactions. It made me excited to embark on this single life adventure!

Now I am out of Uni. In the same place. In the same job. And I know my next boyfriend is someone I haven't met yet. So how do I meet new people? I have been going out more, going to parties and visiting new places. But it just seems hopeless. Don't get me wrong, I am not fussed about meeting the next 'one' straight away and I am a total romantic who hopes for that chance meeting, eyes meet across a crowded room, kind of meet cute fantasy but in the mean time how do I help that process along?

Unfortunately I am shy, awkward and have what I like to call 'Red Face Syndrome'. So flirting with strangers is out of the question because my face flames up as soon as any one compliments me or is nice to me or... talks to me. Ok it's not always that bad but it can be! So the sense of hopeless doom is at least a bit justified.

So after hearing about it from friends, I joined Tinder.

I took the plunge and opened up the catalogue of men who lay themselves bare for us girls to peruse at our leisure (and vice versa of course). I was immediately hooked. It felt wrong at first judging these people on a mere photographic representation of who they really are but man is it addictive!

I like to think it isn't just looks I go by and to be honest I swipe most of the really good looking ones left, knowing I would never be able to have a coherent conversation with them. I tend to look for people who look like the kind of people I would get along with, rather than 'Phwoar what a catch, yes please!' A funny About Me or an intriguing photo (Like the guy riding an Ostrich, who has unfortunately not matched with me) gets a right swipe too.

I took a chance on one guy who looked like he was chiseled from crystal by the gods and a line he used was 'I think you're beautiful, I want you'. The fact that I swiped out of my usual pattern and this is the one and only creepy line I have gotten makes me think I must have pretty good taste. If you can call judging people on Tinder 'having taste'. Actually, lets call it 'Good Visual Judgement', that seems more apt.

Most of my chats have fizzled out and it seemed that one guy blocked me after I told him I was vegetarian. I went back to question whether vegetarianism was a deal breaker but he had vanished from my matches! I was genuinely curious and miffed I couldn't quiz him.

So far Tinder has been an excellent confidence boost. It's made me realise that yes, some guys might actually find me attractive and I now walk around with my head held slightly higher. It has also made me wonder if I am innately boring due to the fact that so many stop replying.

All in all, it passes time. I am enjoying it and it's fun chatting to strangers about nothing in particular.

Let's see what happens!