Love in the times of Corona: How has dating changed in 2020

We have been in lockdown for most parts in 2020, but our dating lives don’t have to be. Now more than ever, we need companionship, in these times of utmost crisis. This is where the various dating apps have come to the rescue of the singles. Platforms like Bumble, Tinder, OkCupid, Hinge, and more have made dating possible even in times of social distancing. The best part about these apps is that they are extremely inclusive and fit different kinds of people – people of all colours, identities, and even those who don’t fit into any boxes – the non-binary. 

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But, how has the dating experience changed in 2020? How does one now meet new people, fall in love, move on while there is a pandemic going on?

1. Video Chats: With the lockdown setting in, our entire life shifted from the real world to the virtual. Now, we work on screen, meet friends on the screen so, why not date? As we locked ourselves into our houses, dating apps like Tinder and Bumble introduced a new feature that allowed matches to meet online. With this feature, people could now meet and greet online without the risk of having to go outside. Although seeing a person on a rectangular screen is not the same as meeting them in person, we are all adjusting to the new normal and something is better than nothing. 
2. Dating with masks: In these surreal circumstances, new boundaries are being set in dating life. As the lockdown is getting uplifted, people are adjusting to this new lifestyle- each in their way. Dating apps have recognised this need, and they have built these choices where users can choose their preferences in dating style and make them visible for others to see. If one is open to meet their match outside, they can make this preference visible to others on the app too. Thus, boundaries are seen and respected. 
3. Passport: When most parts of the globe were under a lockdown from March to May this year, Tinder made its passport feature free for all users. The feature deleted all the boundaries of virtual dating by removing the limitation on distance on the app. Now, the whole world became your dating ground. Tinder passport helps you meet people all over the globe in these times when travelling is only a distant dream. 

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You must have been thinking that your dating life will be dormant as long as we get our normal lives back. Who knows how long it will be till that happens? Till then, we should make do with what we have. And with these dating apps and their new features, you can find your date anytime and anywhere.