Hinge hurdles

So, I downloaded Hinge in September 2023 after 3 years of breakup. Why? Curiosity, and a mild hope that my lover wasn’t just an AI-generated prompt away. No hookups, no casuals, just a well-thought-out plan. Meet someone, actually get to know them, date, and eventually enter a relationship like a normal functioning adult. I'm beautiful, ambitious, financially independent and sensible.

Fast forward: 2023? Absolute drought. 2024? A bit more eventful, met 7 guys (3 even made it past the first date, max three dates). All great people, all wonderful conversations, all... not quite it. So here I am, still single, still swiping, and now exhausted from meeting new people.

The worst part? Hinge actually works. I keep finding interesting people. But do I have the energy to recycle my "So what do you do?" small talk for the hundredth time? Nope.

And just when I think I have enough to figure out, enter North Indians giving me unsolicited dating advice. Apparently, as a South Indian, I need to be “careful” about dating Jaats, Biharis, and a long list of others I wasn’t even aware I was supposed to have opinions on.

Since I live on a residential campus and my meet-cute options are limited to awkward elevator encounters and the occasional academic conference, dating apps are my only hope.

Drop your wisdom!