Pro #1: No One Pays
Check out my 8th post about “Who Pays For The First Date?” It’s a controversial topic and most people don’t agree with the answer. When you’re on a virtual date, the pressures off on who will pick up the bill at the end of the date. The only thing you won’t be able to tell is if your date is a cheapskate. It also gives you a chance to really get to know each other and takes money out of the equation (unless you bring it up to each other).
Pro #2: You Don’t Have To Decide On A Location
Besides figuring out a good time and date to meet, the next biggest challenge finding a good place to meet with your date. Depending on the size of your city, it can be difficult to find a mutual location to meet for a date. Plus if you don’t plan properly, sometimes restaurants are closed on random nights and you don’t figure it out until you get there. Dating virtually removes this element from the equation. Now you just have to decide what room you want to be in or what piece of furniture you want to sit on during your date.
Pro #3: You Only Have to Dress From The Waist Up
It’s hard enough to decide whether you want to dress up or down for your date. This takes half of your outfit out of the equation. Now you really only need to pick out a top for your date. Keep those slippers on your feet and pajama pants on. Your date will never know! They’ll think you dressed up fully for the date.
On a side note, I would definitely treat the virtual date as if you were on an actual date and make sure to take a shower and try and make a little effort on your appearance.
Pro #4: Reduce Your Chance Of Getting CatFished
According to eharmony.com 53% of people lie on their dating profile. One thing virtual dating makes harder is picture editing. It’s much harder to manipulate a video date unless you make it really dark or stand really far or too close to your phone. Any of these should send you a red flag that the person may be lying about their appearance. It won’t prevent all the lies on dating apps, but it could help with some! The person should at least look like their photos.
Con #1: You Could Get Zoom Bombed
Zoom bombing has been all over the media recently. There are hackers entering zoom meetings and taking over with obscene photos or language. This most likely won’t happen to you and your date, but there is always a risk of it. There are also apps like House Party that require you to lock your room or any of your friends on the app can join the digital room you and your date are in. Beware, your virtual date could become less private than you thought it would.
Con #2: Your Date May Show Up Naked
For some, this may actually be a pro. Personally, I’d prefer my dates to come to the date completely dressed. To each their own! Plus, if you don’t like it, you can make a quick exit by simply exiting from the virtual meeting. Bye Felicia!
Con #3: You Could Over-Serve Yourself
If you meet at a bar or restaurant you usually have to wait for a staff member to finally pay attention to you, order a drink, and wait for it to arrive. When you date from home, you can open a bottle of wine and pour as little or as much as you like. Unfortunately, you could drink way too much when you’re nervous for the first date and you don’t have anyone to limit you. Sloppy dates aren’t always the best even when they’re virtual.
Con #4: You May Fall In Love & Not Physically See Each Other For Months
This could be a good thing or a bad thing. One the one hand, you’ve finally found someone you want to spend your life with. On the other hand, you can’t really see each other right now. Will your relationship survive until you can meet each other in public? Then if you meet in public, will that change things once you see how they interact with others? Only time will tell…
Thanks for reading! I hope you all are staying healthy and safe during this time! Don’t forget to have virtual “dates” with your family and friends, too!
Come back in two weeks to read about an interview I had with a standup comedian and what it's like to date in his profession!