Tomorrow is the day Cupid appears and blindly shoots his arrows into unsuspecting mortals. Or, in actuality, it is the day that couples go out to enjoy overpriced prix fix meals with red and pink hearts adorning the walls. But finding that person to sit across the table and laugh over food is hard. Really hard.
Technology has completely changed the dating game. What was one stigmatized is now the norm. When someone says that he or she met their significant other organically in real life, now that is something different and interesting. More and more often, the story is, “We met on OkCupid” or “We found each other on Match.” Online dating has become so mainstream that it is not unlikely to find someone on multiple sites looking for the love of their life.
Putting algorithms to love has also shifted the idea of what is possible in finding love. Technology can certainly determine and locate that perfect person. And if you’re in a large metropolitan area, there are endless possibilities. You could easily swipe through 100 or more profiles in a sitting, knowing within 5 seconds whether or not it is the person for you.
“Oh, a 63% match? That’ll never work. Next.”
“Eek, 5’9″? Nope. 6′ or taller.”
“An artist? Absolutely not. Left.”
You can now fit your mate to your particular specifications. Even a decade or two ago this idea was unthinkable. But now, many ask, how did people even meet before the internet?
So let’s say that the seemingly perfect person has come across your profile. A 6’2″ 92% match, cute lawyer, speaks French, and owns a dog. Perfect. A date is made, and the internet world bridges into reality. He orders you a Carmel car to your date destination, quite the gentleman already. Wedding bells are playing in the background.
Upon arrival, still not sure as to which one he is, you both tentatively make eye contact and mouth the name of your perspective date. A smile of recognition brings the two of you together into an awkward first embrace. Do you hug? Is there a cheek kiss? Oh he’s going in for it, get your cheek back in there! Nervous laughter ensues as you are directed to your table.
As the date progresses, your high expectations for your perfect mate are slowly dashed. Not every aspect of his person lines up with what you want. There’s that mannerism that you find off-putting, and he only drinks white wine, it’ll never work. As dessert is proposed you know that that is the only proposal you’ll ever want from him. So, a polite cheek kiss, and forced side-hug end the night as you get into your Carmel car that you secretly summoned under the table using your Carmel app.
The following day he texts, seeking another date, which is where the sacred art of “ghosting” begins. You don’t answer. There will never be an answer, and you disappear from your once promising love’s life. Back to the internet, the next one has got to be better.
And that is the trouble with online dating. Feeling like perfection is out there if you go through enough profiles. It’s not. What is perfect for you is a nightmare to another. Love is relative, love is blind, and oh-so-hard to obtain and maintain. For some the internet is the ultimate match-maker, providing their life-long mate, for others it is a mere promise that will never reach that unobtainable fulfillment.
This shift in the dating paradigm has created a whole new dating game. But if you do get past the initial messaging stage, Carmel is ready to get you and your date to wherever you’re going. Maybe you’ll even be able to make-out a little in the backseat. Don’t worry, our drivers are discreet, so smooch the night away!