The first – and only – time I’ve used dating apps was in the spring of 2021. I’d just moved to Los Angeles and wanted to see more of the city. But I soon grew tired of the actors, musicians and DJs who hounded me to attend their events; not to mention I didn’t feel safe with total strangers and I’m particular about hygiene.
But ever since my parents cut me off from AOL chatrooms in middle school, I’ve never had trouble meeting people IRL. I’m a social creature who likes to meet people in the wild: I’ve gotten dates from chatting people up at concerts, dance parties, soccer games – I even met one ex in a cemetery, which may have foreshadowed our love’s bitter end. So when my friend invited me to a “flirting party”, it seemed like just the ticket.
