profile. It also has mobile versions to take your matches on the go.
Tinder
Tinder is app-only and less comprehensive than the first two options. You won’t be writing lengthy biographical de-tails here or your favorite song lyrics. To sign up, you have to use your Facebook account—the app uses your activity to judge your potential matches. It’s bare bones speed-dat-ing. Swipe through matches until you find someone, and if you both match, chat away. Its lack of detail makes it known primarily for hookups, but you never know.
Grindr
Grindr is similar to Tinder, but caters only to men who are seeking men. Its main feature is utilizing GPS to find avail-able guys near you. Unlike Tinder, you don’t have to regis-ter with Facebook. Upload a nice picture and a short bio, and you’re good to go. Like Tinder, it’s primarily known for its hookup potential.
Grindr Your Grouper
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Grouper
Grouper sets up group dates for you and your friends. A group of three of you can sign up, for example, and one of you manages the account by answering a questionnaire. Grouper then chooses your dates, a location, and sends email and text updates. One caveat is cost. Each person pays about $17 for the service, so that’s $51 for the three of you. But if you hate the usual one-on-one date setup, it might be a worthwhile service.
Coffee Meets Bagel
Coffee Meets Bagel boasts that its app focuses on quality over quantity, unlike Tinder—though it also requires Face-book. When you sign up, you get one match a day delivered at noon. You have 24 hours to “like” the match. If the likes are mutual, you can instantly chat without giving away person-al info. The app uses Facebook to match you primarily with your friends’ friends—so you have a chance to ask around before your date.
Online dating takes a lot of trial and error, so don’t be too discour-aged if your first attempts aren’t stellar. Try out one or two at a time so it doesn’t become a time-sucking obsession. There’re only so many out-of-nowhere “DTF?” messages you can take.
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Looking for Lovin’ //
First Dates
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You met a cutie and now you’re ready to go on that first real-life outing. First impressions are really nerve-wracking. What do you wear? Where do you go? What should you talk about? Do you kiss? It’s enough to make you want to cancel and wait for a future where mates are assigned to each other by a supreme overlord. But never fear, we’ve got you covered:
Ace the Date
Location.
Grab a drink, coffee, or a low-key dinner. If you’d like something more elaborate, check out the list below.
What to wear.
Dress like yourself and for the activity you chose. And take a shower.
What to do.
Talk! Make sure you go somewhere where you can talk to each other. If you have a mutual interest, like theatre, watch a play together and talk about it afterward.
Time.
Don’t plan a long, drawn-out affair. Be specific about what you want to do and don’t overextend your date.
What to say.
Get the usual questions – where you work, where you went to school – out of the way quickly. Talk about things you care about and mutual interests. Bring up a contro-versial question or two to spice things up.
Listen.
Don’t dominate the conversation. Ask genuine questions and listen to your date.
First Dates
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Who pays?
Forget boring gender norms. If you initiated the date, you pay. If your date wants to split the bill, go ahead. Always plan ahead to pay for two.
If they paid?
Don’t feel obliged to do anything you don’t want to just because someone bought you dinner. If you want to even things out a bit, offer to buy drinks.
Awkward is okay.
All first dates are a little awkward—embrace it. Laugh off the tension by admitting you’re a little nervous.
Keep your head.
It’s your choice, but maybe avoid getting very drunk on the first date. You’re trying to pay attention to this person and decide if you like them.
Kiss?
