As humans continue to evolve so do their lives and that certainly includes dating. The dating world of today is barely recognizable when compared to past decades that our parents and grandparents are familiar with. Let’s explore eight critical ways that dating has changed for the better and the worse.
1. Meeting New Potential Partners
In the past, social networking was nonexistent so, meeting new people was a bit difficult and required a lot more footwork. Typically, one would get a new date through mutual friends or by being set up on a date by someone. Public places like parties and bars were pretty common places to meet new dates as well.
Nowadays, thanks to dating apps and social networks, getting a date is easier than ever. New people are around every corner, and you don’t even have to leave the house! Does this sound like the best thing ever? Think again! Since you can meet new people with such ease, people tend to lose value in the partners they have because they’re so easily replaced.
2. Finding Out if They’re Hiding Anything You Should Know About
In the old days, finding out if the person you’re dating is hiding anything was pretty tricky. Your only option was to ask around and find out from others if your significant other is the real deal. One can only hope your sources are reliable.
This is where social media has the advantage. People these days are much more inclined to live life in the open, and the majority of them post it online for the world to see. If everyone were to research their partner, in the beginning, they are less likely to be blindsided in the future, for the most part.
3. The Science of Compatibility
The old-fashioned way of talking about who you are, what you like, and what you don’t like seems like the rational thing to do and still exists today. However, researchers have studied how people are romantically compatible and nearly boiled it down to a science. Now we are aware of several different personality types, which can be determined by taking a simple test.
4. Advancements in Communication
Teens and young adults these days rarely know about land-lines and how essential they were in the past. If your significant other wasn’t home, you were going to have to leave a message on their answering machine, assuming they had one and waited until they called you back. Today, in the “Digital Era,” nearly everyone has a smartphone or another kind of communication device on their person making it super easy to get in contact with their partner.
5. Going with Someone to an Actual Date
Going somewhere for a date is a seriously rare thing these days! In the past, couples were pretty quick to meet up at a restaurant or a movie theater to spend time together. In today’s society, it’s perfectly acceptable to most to just “Netflix and chill” instead of getting together at your local burger joint.
6. Chivalry is No Longer One-Sided
Some say chivalry is dead but, in reality, it’s just changed. Men used to be expected to come to the door instead of honking, open doors for their date, and pay for all the dates but, due to the feminist movement, more is now expected of women too. While men would still do well to do those things, women will also benefit from displays of chivalry.
7. Preparing for Possible Sex
Unless you go way overboard with the amount of sexual activity you participate in, promiscuity isn’t as taboo as it used to be. Sexual encounters are much more frequent than in the past so, it makes sense to prepare for such activity even if it’s very early on in the relationship. It’s better to be safe than sorry after all!
8. Getting to the Actual Date
Couples in the past were typically picked up at their home by their date but, thanks to advances in convenient travel services, this is no longer the case. Uber and taxi cab rides are a much more common choice and pretty darn affordable. It allows for the couple to interact on a more personal level since no one has to worry about being the driver, which frees both parties up from any potential driving stress.
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About the Author: Stephanie Tanner is a stay at home mother dedicated to writing on every subject she can get my hands on. Learning, writing, and being a great parent is her main passions along with cooking, gaming and staying active. Her favorite quote sums it up, “The only evil is ignorance, the only good is Knowledge” – Nick Traina
