As a single lady living in Melbourne, I’ve discovered that it’s not all that easy to meet a guy. So when I heard about a new dating app called Tinder, I figured why not?

 

Tinder is an app for your smart-device. After specifying your age range, gender and location preferences, you are shown photos of single guys (or girls) which you can ‘like’ by swiping right or discard by swiping left. If you both 'like' each other you make a match and can start chatting.

 

I was excited to give this new type of cyber-dating a try as it seemed pretty easy and harmless. But I’m sad to report my experience so far has been quite disappointing.

 

Once you make a match it can be difficult to sustain conversation. With only a photo as your conversation starter, what follows is a lot of small talk that often doesn’t go anywhere. Sometimes you won’t get a reply at all or a conversation that seemed promising will end with out any indication as to why.

 

I had one experience where I started chatting with a guy, the conversation was flowing, we were discussing everything from travel to life ambitions when suddenly the conversation went dead.

 

The weird thing about Tinder is that even if you make a match you might not have a conversation. Sometimes you’ll make heaps of matches but not necessarily have many conversations. I like to think people get a little swipe-happy and then when they come down from the high, realise that they aren’t that interested. And while it may be fun to go on a swipe rampage it’s pretty demoralizing being on the receiving end.

 

My overall experience has been uneventful, which is both good and bad. Others are not quite so lucky...

 

A friend of mine began a friendly conversation with a guy she thought was good-looking and interesting. They exchanged numbers and then things got weird. This great guy she had been so excited about became a little too forward and sent her a not so well thought out dick pic! My poor friend was horrified and some how or other lost his number.

 

Another friend discovered that the awesome guy she was talking to was actually married and looking to have an affair. Word to the wise: be careful who you give your number to. If you’re into it and you trust him, then go right ahead but if there’s any doubt don’t dish your number out!

 

It seems there is a mixture of people on Tinder: those who legitimately want to find a relationship and those looking for a hook up. It would be useful if Tinder had an option for each group to advertise their particular goals, to avoid confusion and/or genitalia photos.

 

It's not all doom and gloom though. Another friend of mine met the man of her dreams through the app. They are both so happy they are moving in together. So it’s not without hope after all. The moral of this story is give it a go but tread carefully.

 

Personally, I don't think Tinder is for me. I'm going back to trying to meet someone the old-fashioned way. 

 

Have you tried Tinder? What was your experience like?