Over the weekend, I watched “The Tinder Swindler” on Netflix, partly because it sounded interesting, and partly because it directly relates to my job as an online dating coach. I’ll admit it was a riveting story, but I don’t agree with the conclusion that some are coming to: Tinder is inherently bad.
First, for those who haven’t seen the documentary, here’s a brief rundown: A man puts himself on Tinder with lots of things — boats, cars, lavish trips — indicating a type of lifestyle that appeals to some women. (I’ll never quite understand this. To me, humor takes the cake, but who am I to judge?)
Anyway, he matches with women, many from Scandinavia, flies them to foreign and exotic places on “his” private jet, wines and dines them, asks them to be his girlfriend, and then after a certain period of time, asks them for money… and many (in the order of $10 million worth) abide because he’s built a certain level of intimacy and trust over time. It’s sickening when you think about it. He’s a conman, and he’s using his looks and clothing — and I guess partly his personality — to lure people in. And it works… until it doesn’t.
