Why is dating so shallow these days?

r4nd0m

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Consider me a neophyte to relationships as I've only had a few, but my experiences for the past few years have been quite negative. My longest relationship was 6 years and I've been single for 4 now. A few years ago after entering my 30s (33 now), I've started to find it remarkably difficult to source people who were of 'reasonable' character. In other words people who were serious, intelligent and understood looks were just a means to an end. Where being in the spotlight/limelight wasn't as important and who you were as a person took priority.

It seems things have shifted. Dating experiences have been rather dismal in that people are always looking even though they're *supposedly* in the process of connecting/being with you.

Another aspect is that they're constantly looking for the best (materially and superficially), but not acknowledging their own faults or baggage they've accumulated. They want you to be Aces while they're okay with being a Joker, to use a card playing analogy.

Tinder seems to be for people who want to get laid or seek attention/validation. I used to be on okcupid, but I see their latest design is following very similarly to that of Tinder (guess the business model works well?).

For the socially uninitiated, where does one find good people these days? Online always used to be a superficial (and maybe numbers) sort of game, but in my teens and 20s I felt this used to be easier. It seems people expected less of you and were less critical and shallow.

I sometimes wonder if all the connectivity technology brings means that we assume partners and commitment are replaceable and it's okay to act your worst because all interactions are ephemeral.

The common denominator in all this is me, so I want to ask you how have your experiences been? I'm sure the dating culture these days is very suited to being casual, but what if you're looking for a serious relationship?

PS: All these damn sexual orientations are confusing. What happened to just straight, gay or bi? :confused:
 
Last edited:
[MENTION=437194]r4nd0m[/MENTION]

I believe this is your problem.

[video]https://www.facebook.com/travietvuong/videos/1250151181753909/[/video]
 
[MENTION=437194]r4nd0m[/MENTION]

I believe this is your problem.

[video]https://www.facebook.com/travietvuong/videos/1250151181753909/[/video]

Haha. Well played sir, though not the problem.
 
Thanks. Just happened upon it now. Interesting perspectives and still reading.

/smacks wiffa rolled up newspaper.


PM the OP
Even if you are to far apart,
Even if you only become friends that can chat about things.
:rolleyes:
 
It's what you want it to be.

I can know and control myself, but I cannot fully know and control others.

While I agree there are good people out there, my personal experience seems to be encounters of the superficial and ephemeral.
 
/smacks wiffa rolled up newspaper.


PM the OP
Even if you are to far apart,
Even if you only become friends that can chat about things.
:rolleyes:

You're being kind and I appreciate that. Thank you.

That said, I'm actually trying to figure out whether my perspective is wrong or if the dating culture has changed.
 
I can know and control myself, but I cannot fully know and control others.

While I agree there are good people out there, my personal experience seems to be encounters of the superficial and ephemeral.

Maybe you're sending out energy that targets and attracts these people?
 
You're being kind and I appreciate that. Thank you.

That said, I'm actually trying to figure out whether my perspective is wrong or if the dating culture has changed.
:rolleyes:


You should request the custom title - forever alone
 
I've been with the same woman for 14 years. Honestly, if our relationship was to end, I wouldn't even know where to start. Hell, I doubt I'd even bother looking for someone else.
 
More detail please :)


What are you looking for on a scale of 1 to 5 where 1 is a churchgoing teetotaler who may have had one intimate partner and 5 is a drug or alcohol fuelled nymphomaniac?

Just so we know what page you're on?
 
I think people tend to look for the characteristics that their previous partners were lacking, characteristics that they feel they want or need from a relationship that they didn’t have before. It does mean people often start a new relationship with excess baggage and big expectations which isn’t great.
 
Just pick a girl and learn to love her.
 
Met mine on Tinder.

We chatted over a few months.

I flew her (and the dog) to JHB for a week end, she never left.
 
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