There are 6 reasons you should always start with a video date.
Back in the olden days, meaning pre-pandemic, I had no problem meeting a guy from a dating app after a quick texting exchange. I preferred to have a ten minute phone conversation first to hear his voice, but I also liked being spontaneous and jumping in my car to meet a guy in person right away.
I wanted to know if there was in-person chemistry, so I always recommended a face-to-face meeting as soon as possible.
Then COVID-19 happened. I wasn’t as eager to meet people in person anymore. Now that many of us are fully vaccinated, you may argue that it’s safe to go back to my previous dating method of meeting right away. However, I have realized that starting with a video date is the best beginning to any relationship.
Here are 6 reasons to start with a video date:
1. You save time.
Not everyone will live within a few blocks of you, especially if you’re in a large city. You may live an hour away from your date. Even if you’re meeting halfway, you’ll have to give yourself an hour to get there – to add in time if there’s traffic, to search for parking, and to walk to your meeting place. And then it could take another hour to get home. You just spent two hours driving to and from your date, and you have no idea if you’ll even like the person you’re meeting.
If you have a video date first, it takes five seconds to set up your camera and start your virtual date!
2. You save money.
Just as you spend time getting to and from your date, driving or taking public transportation costs money. You have to pay for gas or bus/train fare, and there may be a parking fee as well. If you go out for food or drinks or even to do an activity, it all gets expensive. You might want to get your hair done or buy new clothes, and the money adds up quickly.
If you have a video date, you don’t need to spend a dime. There are no fees to park, and you’re not buying food or drinks for your date.
3. It’s safer.
Any time you meet a stranger, you could be putting yourself in danger. Unless others can vouch for your date, you have no idea if this person is a serial killer! Also, every person you encounter could be a threat to your health these days. Meeting a date in person puts you at risk for COVID-19 or any other illness he/she may have.
On the other hand, you can stay safe and healthy by turning on your phone/computer and having a relaxing video date.
4. You can hear and see the person.
Looking at your date and listening to the sound of his/her voice is basically what a first date entails. Sure, you could be meeting just to have sex, but if you’re interested in a relationship, having a meaningful conversation is normally the first step to decide if you’re attracted to each other. You can start with a phone call, but then you have no idea what your date looks like. What if the profile pictures are 30 years old?
You can have a video date to hear and see the person, and it’s just as good as sitting across from each other at a bar.
5. You can assess chemistry.
Nothing beats in-person chemistry. You may strongly believe that you have to be face-to-face to see if you truly have chemistry with your date. You’re not completely wrong. You may connect on all levels through virtual dates, but you realize there are no sparks as soon as you meet in person.
I don’t want you to waste your time having months of video dates before meeting in person, but just one video date is enough to see if your conversation flows and you have a nice rapport over video. If you don’t seem to “get” each other, then you can say your goodbyes and move on. Or, if you feel totally connected over video, then you’ll be even more excited to meet in person.
6. It’s more comfortable.
Waiting for hours to get a table at your favorite restaurant isn’t fun. Being surrounded by loud, annoying strangers while you’re trying to have a pleasant conversation with your date isn’t enjoyable. Walking in the park with your date seems so romantic until a thunderstorm gives you an unwelcome shower.
You can have a comfortable video date instead! You don’t even need to wear pants as you sprawl out on your couch.
Dating is difficult. And people are lazy. Why spend hours preparing for a date that ends up sucking the life out of you? It takes minimal effort to get ready for a video date. You should still fix your hair and put on a nice shirt, but you don’t need to worry about being overly impressive on video. Video dating is safe and easy, and you can quickly figure out if you’re compatible and whether it’s worth it to meet in person.