6 Uses for Dating Apps That You Might Not Have Thought Of
I recently listened to a podcast in which two female comedians gave accounts of how they had met each other on a date. They didn’t find love. But that was totally fine as neither of them had been looking for it. Unbeknownst to each other, they had been using the dating app for social networking during a city comedy festival.
Some apps actually include social networking as a “what are you looking for" option. With others you need to be a bit vague about what your motives are and go forward with a spirit of curiosity.
Sometimes it’s just about having the good fortune of stumbling upon a rich vein of expertise, skill or knowledge. Some people just get lucky and find someone who’s handy around the house. The relationship might not have longevity but that bathroom tap is still going strong three years on.
So is it possible just to cut to the chase and put it out there that you’re looking to have your home maintenance/IT/tailoring needs met? Dating apps are nothing if not transactional. You state what you want and what you have to offer in exchange. Does it really matter if the currency is something other than dinner/movies/sex? The principle remains the same, surely.
I’m not talking about taking advantage of or exploiting someone but using the apps for mutual benefit. This is a seriously ethical approach. It’s about maximum transparency. The more upfront the better: “I’m looking for someone who has graphic design skills and I’ll sort out your social media strategy”. If that makes you a bit squeamish, go for the more non-committal: “I’m looking to expand my circle of business contacts and build connections with people who have common interests”.
You’re not hurting anyone: they can take it or leave it. And it’s not like you need a high conversion rate. It’s not a numbers game in the same way as it would be if you were looking for a romantic partner. You find someone to fix your fence and they apply their skill. Job done.
Let’s face it. Not every date is going to yield a long term relationship but that doesn’t have to mean it has to be buried in the bottom drawer, never to emerge again. Why not leverage the mental energy you’ve put into organizing, getting ready and turning up for dates for some other practical purpose?
Or you can just take the opportunistic approach and go with the flow. Play the cards your latest right swipe has dealt you. It could take your life/career/weekends in a whole new direction.
At some point though you’re going to have to seal the deal otherwise there’s not a lot to tie you together once the date ends. You’re more likely to sustain the if there’s an obvious benefit to each of you.
Here’s some ideas:
Business connections: Starting a new business? You’re going to need a web designer, accountant and comms person right? Who knows, maybe even a business partner if they’re really into what you’re doing. And they can send potential customers/clients your way. You’re going to need somewhere nice to get your coffee and lunch and they might even be able to provide catering for your launch (see below).
Recruitment needs: Okay there may be rules around this in some organisations but if it’s up to you, why not cast the net wide to nab the skill set you’re looking for? If it’s grass-roots community knowledge you’re after, you’re probably more likely to find it on a niche dating app than seek.com.
Home renovation and maintenance: This one’s a sure winner if you’re starting from a low baseline and just looking for someone who can put together an IKEA bookshelf and replace some lightbulbs in odd spots. Beats hanging around for a tradie that may or may not turn up.
Pet-minding: Plenty of apartment-bound city folk would jump at the chance to have some one-on-one love with your four-legged friend. Throw in housesitting for the couple of weeks you’re away and you’ve got yourself a solid deal.
Travel: You’re itching to do some post-COVID travel but it would be a lot more cost effective and less dull if you had someone to share it with. You might just share the driving/petrol costs to get to your destination or you might end up with someone fun to hang out with and share memories afterwards.
Catering: Offered to organize your friend’s 40th while throwing back the prosecco at someone else’s but now faced with sobering truth that you are a hopeless cook and/or ridiculously time poor? Someone with a flair for cooking might be keen for a side-hustle. You might even help them launch the catering business that they’ve been kicking around for ages.
Might as well give it a whirl before you delete those all those apps. Again.
