How self-isolation is changing the dating game
With the closure of cafes, bars, pubs and clubs, dating has moved from ‘hello and hook up’ to physically distant flirting. Welcome to slow dating, where your still need to know how to “weed out the weirdos”.
Fiona Byrne
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The coronavirus shutdown is giving rise to a new dating movement — slow dating — with people having to talk, not touch, according to dating expert Andi Lew.
With people staying at home, dating has moved quickly from “hello and hook up” to physically distant flirting.
“Welcome to slow dating,” said Lew.
“It is here, it is now and it is a thing. As a dating expert, it’s always been my dream that people would get to know each other more before meeting, hooking up or sharing sacred space.
“The speed-dating movement got too fast with the ‘swipe life’ and now we are slow dating because we cannot see each other in real life.”
Lew said dating apps and video platforms still gave people ways to meet.
“It is all about communication and getting to know each other and making sure you’re compatible on so many other levels than mere aesthetics,” she said.
“You need to know how to navigate your way through the world of courting via text and online and you need to know how to weed out the weirdos.”
She said opening lines on text like “you’re hot” were an instant turn-off.
And Lew said now was a good time to sort out what your current relationship means.
“If there’s someone you’ve been casual with, now is the time to ask for exclusivity.”