In addition to the stupefying abundance of options, there is the deteriorating quality of interactions and consequent dates. In the off chance that you manage to break the virtual barrier and coordinate a physical rendezvous, there is a high likelihood the person will have mentally checked out by the second cocktail, eager to swipe on to the next B-list bikini model. With dating apps as our metaphorical free pass, we appear to be zipping through this dystopian carnival of love with our trademark extremism, only to be confronted by an ardent sense of nausea at the end of each ride. As I watch my friend massacre her phone, my mind drifts to my rookie Tinder days, which coincide with my time living in Paris. Could it be that the French have succeeded at tackling the delicate art of online dating with their customary moderation and integrity, allowing them to cultivate genuine connections? Since we clearly need all the help we can get, I resolve to investigate. As they skeptically break into the online dating game, the French try to transmit an element of effortlessness through their profiles, approaching them more as vitrines into their real lives than professionally retouched modeling portfolios. Sunglasses designer Thierry Lasry usually uploads photos directly from his Instagram feed, mixing off-duty and work-related shots that allow a glimpse into his day-to-day. She suggests including one full-length photo, one close-up shot, and one picture that shows your personality, be it having fun with friends or doing what you love, resulting in an accurate representation of who you are and what you stand for.
Read more “A Single’s Guide to Dating in Paris”