Singles forced to talk as swipe-and-go gets the heave-ho

Single Australians on the lookout for love are getting a taste of old fashioned romance.

Singles Chloe Fitzgerald and Joshua Stengert in Brisbane. Picture: Glenn Hunt

Single Australians on the lookout for love are getting a taste of old-fashioned romance as restrictions encourage the traditional art of courtship over the immediate gratification of a smartphone app.

As restaurants, cafes and bars grapple with ever-tighter controls, the art of conversation is coming into its own. Mobile dating apps, known for their ability to connect people with a swipe of the screen, have reported a spike in the amount of time people spend talking to and getting to know each other before meeting.

Relationship coach Megan Luscombe said the next few months would test people’s ability to emotionally connect with others and force young people to learn to talk to each other.

“We are taking a step back ­towards a less transient dating culture. We’re learning the art of communication again, which I think has been a bit lost thanks to social media,” Ms Luscombe said.

“Generations above us sort of look at this and think, ‘Well, this is what we had to do. We actually had to get to know people and plan what we wanted to do.’ Courtship was a real thing.”

Mobile dating platform Hinge is encouraging users to show they are keen on someone through “digital dates”.

A spokesman said 70 per cent of users were open to “date from home” by using phone calls and video chats to develop ­relationships.

“I think it’s important that ­people put the physical side of ­single life on hold for a little bit and focus on their emotional connection,” Ms Luscombe said.

Social restrictions don’t mean meeting someone in person is ­impossible, with Ms Luscombe suggesting grabbing a coffee and going for a walk.

The coronavirus is also being used as an icebreaker. Pick-up lines such as “if coronavirus doesn’t take you out, can I?” are making the rounds.

Brisbane singles Chloe Fitzgerald, 26, and Joshua Stengert, 23, say they would never use such a line but have noticed a subtle change in their approaches to ­dating.

While both are still getting out there, they are less likely to ­actively seek out dates.

“I think you have got to take into consideration that even ­couples who are dating will have their own separate lives and still are susceptible to the virus,” Mr Stengert said.

“So, I mean, you have less ­context about where (your date) has been, but dating, it’s still the same and everyone is still operating as usual.”

Ms Fitzgerald said she would now prefer a date outdoors, like grabbing a drink at an open-air bar or a bite to eat at a courtyard cafe.

From next week, Tinder will also be making its passport feature — which allows you to connect with people anywhere in the world — free to all users to encourage people to talk.