How dating apps compare to meeting people in clubs

In the 21st Century our dating culture has drastically changed. As the “Digital Generation” we’ve now become more immersed into the online world more than ever before, and it’s affecting all areas of our lives: work, friends and especially love. Dating apps has transformed how we date and there seems to be a growing number of people who rely on using apps rather than sticking to the traditional method of going out to bars and clubs to meet new people. But is this shift a good thing? And which method works best? Lets see how dating apps compare to meeting people in clubs.

In the beginning dating apps were seen as something you would hide from your friends, known for being used for casual meet ups and flings but it’s now been accepted more by the wider society as one of the most popular ways to find partners, with even celebrities such as Ed Sheeran and Katie Perry trying them out.

There has been an explosion of dating apps in recent years, all offering particular services for particular people, with Tinder being the most popular. Since releasing in September 2012 it has amassed over 50 million users and continues to dominate the dating app scene. It is interesting to see how dating apps compare to meeting people in clubs with this particular app. In a study by dating and relationship expert Jessica Carbino, there have been some interesting statistics about the people who use Tinder. It was discovered that Men are 3 times more likely to swipe “like” (46% of cases) than women (14%) and in terms of gender, men outnumber women by 60:40.

In relation to what men and women are drawn to when evaluating a possible match, the assumption was that the most attractive people get the most likes and matches but this is not always the case. Carbino states that: “People are trying to access compatibility on not just a physical level but a social level”. By analysing a number of details within a profile picture in a matter of seconds they are able to take subconscious notes about their social circles, level of confidence and interests before they swipe. So it gives people who are not seen as “physically attractive” or are looking for personality rather than looks a better chance of finding a match for them. This is interesting to see the difference of how dating Apps compare to meeting people in clubs. So what are the pros and cons of using dating apps such as Tinder as opposed to meeting in clubs?

There are so many advantages with using Tinder. With 10 million users daily and 26 million matches, it’s much easier & quicker to search a large amount of people which is perfect for busy people on the go and therefore gives you a higher chance of finding a match. One of the pressures of meeting new people is being rejected, which is one of the nice things you don’t have to deal with when using dating apps and big factor when it comes to how dating apps compare to meeting people in clubs.

The great thing about online dating is you can question your ‘match’ as much as you want to find out more about their personality and what your common interests are before deciding to meet them in person. Online dating is great for people who are shy, unsociable or uncomfortable at approaching strangers in a public places. Therefore you can take it at any pace you like until you feel ready to meet.

You can easily filter your searches for people such as location or age which gives you more time to focus on only the criteria of people you’re looking for. This is interesting to discover when it comes to how dating apps compare to meeting people in clubs.

There are some disadvantages of Tinder as you may be able to filter your searches but it’s not always easy to see if someone is looking for a serious relationship or a fling, so it can be a hit or miss initially. That being said, people can be dishonest, so there’s also a chance of being stood up by a failed meeting

Seeing someone only by their profile picture and given name means you still don’t know if they are who they really say they are, so fake profiles are abundant. It also means it’s difficult to assess them as a person, e.g. their height, sound of their voice and their behaviour in real life. Not knowing much about their physical attributes might mean it takes longer to develop a real connection with a person, unlike a “spark” you might get upon meeting them face to face. Therefore there is a big difference on how dating apps compare to meeting people in clubs. Although it may be an advantage to have so many matches with people, it means you will need more time to talk to all of them and therefore it might take longer for you to meet up with them, delaying the whole process.

Too much of a good thing can end up having consequences, such as addiction. Ellen Carpenter, a neuroscience professor at UCLA, explains that dating apps give you the same effects as playing a mobile game. “It does this by hijacking the brain’s pleasure centre, located in the prefontal cortex”. So every time you get a match, it gives you a hit of dopamine – the happy hormone that makes you feel euphoric. “You then associate that pleasurable feeling with a ping on you phone.” Therefore you will want to keep repeating the same action to get the same feeling again. Also because your phone is constantly with you, it’s easily accessible anytime which can lead to you swiping left and right during inappropriate times.

There may be an increase of people using dating apps in comparison to meeting in clubs, bars and clubs. These are still places that offer a bit of everything under one roof: Fun with friends, drinks, great music and opportunities to interact with the opposite gender. Some people still prefer to rely on finding a match at parties and events but why is this the case?

Lets compare meeting people in clubs versus dating apps. The advantages are that unlike dating apps, you can see what they really look like right away (something they cannot lie about) and sense immediately if you feel a physical connection to them. This is already a big difference when it comes to how dating apps compare to meeting people in clubs as you don’t know how they are in person. The great thing about clubbing is having your closest friends with you. They can be your best asset, to give advise and help see who is most suitable for you.
Suddenly bumping into someone or being approached unguarded can be exciting and unexpected. Especially if you feel a physical attraction/connection to them, you will know straight away if you like them, and see how they behave/interact with other people. Being out there in a social environment gets you out of your comfort zone and socializing with new people you probably would never have tried to talk to whilst having a fun night in a great venue.

There are some disadvantages as well as most of the time, girls or guys won’t be going to clubs alone. So if you want to look for a date without a large group of your friends getting in the way then clubs can be quite tricky. Whereas dating apps are the complete opposite so it is interesting to see the difference of how dating apps compare to meeting people in clubs. Also the dreaded fear of rejection is another factor. It’s embarrassing, painful and is one of the main reasons people don’t approach each other in a public places especially when it’s in front of each other’s friends. Its also equally embarrassing if you’re the one being approached and you’re not interested.

There’s always the chance of people drinking too much, behaving inappropriately when dancing and changing from polite and charming to not yourself in a matter of a few minutes. It can easily turn a great night out into a bad one.
Just like dating apps, it’s still just as difficult to know if someone is looking for a relationship or a fling and all intentions can change especially when alcohol is involved.

Clubs are often a little too loud so it can be hard to sit and talk properly with a potential date. So if you want to have a long deep conversation, a quiet bar would be best. Dating apps have given people another way to find love. It may have started out not being favoured but now it’s embraced by all types of people and is now a more acceptable method for dating. Apps like Tinder will continue to help pave the way to connect with people with those they would never have met under normal circumstances.

I don’t think this sudden shift will ruin the club culture. Many people will still go to bars and clubs to have a good time, just maybe not necessarily for dating. But life is all about taking chances and trying new things so there’s no doubt that there will still be brave suitors out there trying their best to approach people. Whether you’re looking for a fling or a meaningful relationship, it seems that dating apps and meeting in clubs can work out pretty well, some even using both methods or more than one dating app to increase chances. So its good to see how dating apps compare to meeting people in clubs.

Trying to find your true love in this day and age can be a challenge but with new options constantly being discovered, people now have more choices than ever before. This will hopefully leave them one step closer to finding their true match.