A Few Thoughts On Valentine's Day 2021
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Historically Valentine’s Day has never been about hook-ups, but this year has added to that, with the inability to even get close to someone you are seeing or dating, let alone a casual hook-up.
Hook-ups are now seen as a health risk, for singles and their families and they are taking steps to learn a lot more about their dates before they contemplate on their next step. For singles who are newly coupled up, ‘Zoom sex’ has become a novel way to keep that flame alive. With V Day approaching, its set to increase (but just make sure that meeting link doesn’t go missing).
Online daters are not wasting their time dating someone just because it is convenient – they want a real connection. Conversation, banter, family values so forth have become the preference over a filtered sexy selfie. People have also had the time to reassess what is important to them, what they want from their future and in a partner.
Surprisingly many singletons have found this process liberating. They now need to use more initiative when forming new relationships and exploring different ways to instigate romance during lockdown.
It is definitely harder to have that in-person closeness, but with the vaccine rolling out, we know it is not forever. With singles putting this time to good use, in order to seek out real quality matches, the human touch is second to the need of finding out about a person, and whether you are compatible. So that when normal life resumes, they can be excited about being with the right person. Finding a real connection has never been so important and time wasters are weeded out much more quickly.
Asking someone to hook-up during lockdown is a big no go in the world of online dating today. There is now a much longer time period, over the past 12 months, when online daters feel comfortable with even contemplating the idea of meeting up (when restrictions are lifted).
Therefore surprisingly, singletons are getting more creative this Valentine’s Day even though they cannot meet up in person. Old fashioned romance is making a big comeback!
There are obvious ways to be romantic, but thoughtfulness is everything this year. Sending a handwritten note or posting a card is much more appreciated than an email or WhatsApp message. Flowers, wine and cake are all going to be thoroughly appreciated and will be swamping social media this year.
Singletons are getting so creative they are organising a “an interactive virtual romantic date” somewhere international. Without the hassle of travel or organising an in-person date, this opens the gateway to new opportunities. Virtual dates to see the Eiffel Tower in Paris or a walk along Bondi Beach in Sydney, are in high demand this Valentines Day. It will create a new experience for dates, as opposed to a boring old Zoom call.
What we found in research:
Without the restraints of location, singles have opened up with search distance by 10X what it was last year, as they are looking for real quality over quantity.
During this past year we’ve changed the way we work, travel and interact, with the majority of singles preferring virtual dates and park walks, as opposed to a casual drink or coffee.
It' not just about the singles though, we see more friends and family joining Wingman app in order to help their single friend and thinking of them around this romantic time.
If you do find yourself alone and single this Valentine’s Day, put on a Bridget Jones movie and something funny. It’s very easy to draw comparisons and feel sorry for ourselves, but let’s just remind ourselves that there are many people spending Valentine’s Day locked away and dreading it. Focus on finding the person you want to spend lots of time with, not just one day. Then when we emerge from lockdown you can hit the ground running and find that perfect person!
Looking to help out a friend/family member this Valentine’s Day? Download Wingman and find them a date!