New to Tinder? Or just not sure how to navigate your way through what to do and not to do on Tinder?
No worries.
Here’s the Tinder rulebook for you.
It may seem super easy, right?
I mean it’s not like Tinder is rocket science but there are things worth knowing.
The truth is, most of us make a mistake on Tinder sooner or later and it’s good to know a few things upfront to avoid it. The Tinder etiquette rulebook, in other words.
Tinder Etiquette & Rules to Follow:
1. Use Your Photos Wisely
People want to see you. That’s the first thing. Five pictures of your car, cat, or home won’t cut it.
While they want to see you, they don’t want an extreme close-up where they can see your nose hair. If you aren’t artistic enough to tell a good picture from a bad one, get a friend to help you out!
- Bathroom selfies. Seriously? Why?
- Too many selfies? Narcissistic, much?
- Blurry photos? The point is to be seen. Not, not to be seen.
People want to get a good look at your face from different angles. They want a couple of full-body shots as well to check out your physique and if you can dress. They also want to see what your life is like — photos that reveal who you are.
Shots from your travels, a shot when dressed up for a party, another shot with your friends, a shot of you doing something you like, like cooking, that kind of thing.
They need to decide whether to swipe right or left and to do so, they want to see as much of your personality as possible.
I would recommend you checking dating profile examples shared by us so that you have got a better idea of what and what not to do.
2. Don’t Swipe Right on Everyone
Yes, it’s an ego boost to see who swiped right on you. I get it. But if you need an ego boost, go see a psychologist, don’t use Tinder.
We all swipe right a bit too eagerly at times, carried away, or thinking we should give someone a chance. It happens. Just don’t make a habit out of swiping right on people who you know you don’t want to meet.
3. Don’t Get Stuck Online
Maybe you want to be sure, before you meet someone, that you have something in common and that the date won’t be a total waste of your time.
Fine.
But the truth is, until you meet someone, you won’t know if there’s chemistry. Send a few texts back and forth, but then, if they seem capable of some form of banter, meet up with them.
Remember that some people are terrible at texting — that doesn’t mean they’re terrible in real life.
Personally, I have very little patience with people who want to text forever. I’ve just learned that you never know until you meet. So I find it a waste of my time to text someone for weeks on end before meeting up.
4. Read their Profiles Before You Swipe
I don’t know how many people have asked me questions to which the answer could be found in my profile.
I either stop talking to them or reply that they can find the answer in my profile.
If they don’t even care enough to read a few sentences about me, why would I care to date them?
5. Be Honest & Straightforward
People use Tinder for different reasons. Don’t waste your time on people who want something different from you and don’t mislead people.
You have no clue what someone’s going through in their life, so if they’re seeking friendship or a relationship, don’t go out with them a couple of times, bed them and ghost them.
It’s such poor manners.
Someone once did that to me just as my gran was dying. It was really lovely. Not.
The easiest way to ensure you get what you want is to put it in your profile. And when you start talking to them, ask them what they want out of Tinder.
6. Don’t Schedule Three Hour Dates
A first meeting can end up being great, or horrible. So plan on doing something easy-going that takes about 40 minutes. No three-course meals, in other words.
We have other articles about what a good first date is, but basically, something fun, in public (never at home, or in some desolate place), that gives you something to talk about (like meeting in a quirky place, or bowling).
Avoid expensive things too — you don’t know what their economy looks like and you don’t want to invest too much money until you know they’re worth it either.
7. Be Polite
When you write to people, check your spelling and grammar. That’s the first thing. For many people, it’s a huge “they don’t care” if you don't take the time to write decently.
Secondly, treat people with respect. If you want to talk to someone, then pay attention. Be interested. If you don’t have a genuine wish to talk to someone, then don’t get into a conversation with them. Or if you realize it’s not for you, leave.
8. Don't Get Upset If They Ghost You
On Tinder, people are having conversations with several people at the same time. The person they find the most interesting, will get the most attention.
People will start talking to you at times and then realize it didn’t click, or they found someone they liked better.
It’s OK. Don’t get upset. Know it’s part of Tinder. There are plenty more fish in the sea, so move on.
9. Don't Ask or Send No Naked Pics
If you get someone’s number, don’t send them naked pics, or d#ck pics. Seriously.
Think about it this way: do you expect someone who just got your number to tell you they love you? No? Then why send them a picture of you naked?
It may sound like a stupid comparison, but think about it: you’re jumping the gun. Going from zero to hero in a few seconds.
There’s supposed to be a build-up to s#x. If you’re both looking for hook-ups and you’re chatting and things get heated, that’s the time for naked pics.
And you should probably ask before you send them. Make them ask first.
Also, be careful. People keep the images you send. As a general rule, meet people before you send them photos like that…
10. Don’t Ghost People After Meeting Them
If you meet someone for a couple of dates in real life, don’t ghost them. Just tell them you don’t want to see them anymore. Fair enough if you meet once and never message each other again, but if you go out more than once, then they deserve an explanation before you disappear.
Just have some manners.
Think about how you’d want your kids to be treated when they start dating. It’s so easy to send one text to tell someone that you enjoyed hanging out, but you don’t think there’s enough chemistry to pursue it further. Done.
11. Don’t Act Impatient
If someone is consistently flaky without giving an explanation, that’s when it’s time to unmatch them.
Tinder is not on the top of most people’s to-do lists.
Sure, we’re all excited about meeting new people and dating, but everyday life with all that it entails, including friends and family who have known us for years, comes first.
If someone doesn’t reply straight away, don’t unmatch them. They may just have a busy couple of days.
12. Don’t Be the Flaky One
On the flip side of the coin, if you’ve engaged someone in a conversation, follow through. If you’re busy, tell them so. If you realize they aren’t for you, move on instead of wasting their time.
13. Be a Gentleman/women
Human relationships are precious. Sure, everyone on Tinder is a stranger, but that’s no excuse for treating them badly, misleading them, or wasting their time. If you want to live in a world where people are nice to each other, work on being nice to others.
Because those strangers may become friends. And even if they won’t, how you treat them will affect how they treat others. It would be a lot more fun hooking up with people if everyone was nice to each other.
Have manners. Be polite. Take a genuine interest in the people who you engage with. And be upfront about what you want out of something.
Similar Read: Online Dating Etiquette: Messaging, First Date, Sex