The impacts of COVID-19 around the globe are wide-reaching. This pandemic has touched every single corner of our lives, including affecting all aspects of our socialization. Dating and hookup culture have been hotter than ever in recent years, but in light of the quarantine situation in place in most areas, the hooking up has mostly come to a halt and people are seeking other ways to enjoy someone’s company or explore their kinks—and it’s all being done virtually.
Humans are Adaptable
One of the biggest reasons that the dating game is changing is because of the people who are playing it. During these uncertain times, everyone is adapting to a new way of life under quarantine. That may include a new work schedule (or no work schedule), different ways of doing things, and even different ways of meeting and connecting with people. As people are continuing to settle into the quarantine and look to carry on their normal lives, dating still has to be done virtually, and it’s often creating plenty of new romantic gestures that will make this part of the pandemic quarantine a success.
From Casual to Chivalrous: The Resurgence of Romance in the Age of a Pandemic
You might think that there’s nothing romantic about a pandemic that is sweeping the globe, and there absolutely isn’t. However, what is romantic is the notion that people have gone back to talking, courting, flirting, and getting to know each other. Virtual dates and other encounters aren’t as easy to transition right into something sexual or a one-night stand. As such, people are seeking out romantic encounters and finding more than just a good time in the hookup culture today.
Now that people can’t just meet up, hook up, and move along, the conversation is starting to become a more valuable asset to people. Restaurants and bar owners are hosting virtual happy hours, friends are getting together on webcam chats every day, and there are people who are even chatting and emailing back and forth, putting their own creative thoughts into words for someone that they admire.
It can be hard to see what is wrong with all of this, but consider the fact that it gives women the men that they want and it keeps men from being too forward or aggressive, giving you more time and opportunity to weed them out. Some of the world’s biggest brands are revamping online dating, creating new sites and offering a variety of in-app features, video calling perks, and more.
Where People are Going for Online Dating
Hookup sites like Ashleymadison, Adultfriendfinder, Fling, ALT and Seeking are seeing their numbers dropping as more people head over to social dating apps like Yumi, Grindr, Happn, Hinge, Bumble and Tinder to meet and chat with other people. Of course, there are plenty of other dating apps available, along with live video chat apps, webcam sites, and more.
Those interested in more vanilla dating and relationships can find their perfect fit at Match, OKCupid, POF, Zoosk and eHarmony. For hookups or more anonymity, you can check out Bumble, Hinge, and Happn, where there may be other singles looking for a quick hookup virtually, either via webcam or chat. Users can enjoy live video chats and webcams on the following sites:
This is just a handful of the available sites for hooking up and casual encounters. Some have a decent offering, while others are just there. But if you need or want more than what’s on Grindr, there’s a whole list above that you can check out.
Dating Safely Amid the Pandemic
When you are getting into a good groove with dating, it can be difficult to put it on pause. However, there are a lot of reasons that you will want to slow down a bit. There is something to be said for staying at home. Professionals recommend holding off on physical dating, but they say if you must, choose a smaller, less populated space so that you can at least sit down and talk.
Don’t rush into meeting people or hooking up right now. It’s best to maintain social distancing protocols until otherwise told or until you feel safe that you aren’t going to expose yourself or anyone else. Although there are no guarantees, you can find a lot of people to talk to on popular apps and sites like Grindr and pof.com.
Can COVID-19 Be Sexually Transmitted?
This is a respiratory illness, so it cannot be transmitted via sexual contact. However, it can be transmitted through kissing and oral contact, so make sure that you’re avoiding as much physical intimacy as possible, and especially with strangers or people that aren’t normally around you on a day-to-day basis. You cannot acquire this condition from sexual encounters or exchanges of fluids on a sexual level, but you can still put yourself at a lot of risk if you’re out there hooking up in the current state of the world.
How Apps are Helping
Almost every app and dating site has some kind of message or attention-grabbing way of encouraging people to stay inside their homes and save physical dating for later. People who are looking for hookups and NSA sex are encouraged to hold off until the virus clears up and the hookup culture is safe once again. Apps are offering great perks and even just words of encouragement to help people feel good about their choice to stay out of the public when they don’t feel safe being there.
Also, it’s important to note here that live video chat apps are surging in popularity in light of the quarantine.
The Future is Promising
Online dating has gone through so many ups and downs over the years. From in-depth matchmaking sites to the modern hookup apps that barely require a screen name, you can find a lot of potential ways to get back into the dating game and take a crack at romance, instead of just meeting people for a quick one-time thing. It is a fun new way to take on dating, and it’s a great way to pass the time while the world is coming back to life.
