ETIQUETTE – How To Get a Match on Tinder

Whilst pondering whether or not a post such as this was even worthy of our website, it hit us that since we bang on endlessly about ‘modern gentlemen’s lifestyle’, it was time to practice what we preach and broach the subject of modern day dating. It is undeniable that Tinder is well and truly a part of many a singleton’s modern life, but the troubles that come with it are infinite. On the plus side, as David Stuckey so eloquently put, “Tinder clears a lot of the bullshit out of the way. You get a look at someone and then you move on.” So after several conversations with friends on the subject, we though we would put together a basic guide on how best to succeed on Tinder…

PHOTOGRAPHS

DON’T: Any pose with a large cat (we mean tiger or lion in a zoo where they’re all sedated so that naive tourists can pose with them for a new Facebook profile picture), but now we come to think of it, maybe give photos with the small domestic kind a miss too.

Selfies, Topless Selfies, Bathroom Topless Selfies (in that order) are utterly frowned upon.

Wedding photos – even if it is not your own wedding, it’s confusing to the opposite sex, and just a tad morally wrong if it is indeed yours.

DO: Simple – a caught in the moment kind of photo, one with friends or at a party (a civilized one that is) N.B : Women can’t resist a guy in black tie. Also, always have more than one image, ideally a full body shot too – women are not stupid, they know better than anyone the power of filters and a good angle.

TAG LINES

DON’T: Be brutally honest and achingly depressing…

DO: Be funny and a little bit different

Other do’s include: The somewhat over-used, but still amusing ‘I’m prepared to say we met through a mutual friend’

Or, if in doubt, simply leave it blank.

CONVERSATION STARTERS

DON’T: Be weird or creepy. Starting with something explicit will most likely lead to an instant ‘block’, so keep it PG, gentlemen.

DO: Again, stick to something that will make her laugh (not the above – that’s a definite no) , anything slightly off-the-wall and unique should get her attention and make you stand out from your fellow Tinderers. Although remember that what you might find funny, girls might not ‘get’, it’s worth remembering that often the power of sarcasm is lost through virtual conversations. Equally, don’t forget that you’ve both liked or rather ‘right swiped’ each other, so if you’ve got the balls, then why not skip the pleasantries and go for: ‘We could make small talk for a few days or we could just cut the crap and go for a drink – are you free this Thursday?’ – bold, punchy and it may well pay off. Plus we all know girls get bored instantly, and if you don’t ask her on a date within at least a fortnight, you’ll be blocked before you know it.

If you’re really stuck for inspiration and can’t be bothered to think of something witty, then stick to the classics, a simple ‘Hi – how are you’ or ‘How’s your weekend going’ won’t exactly spark love at first tinder, but it might get the conversation rolling without her putting you straight into ‘pervert’ or ‘weirdo’ territory.