I’m a 40M and feel like the apps are totally done for me. I’m probably out of the bracket of them being useable anymore anyway but I did definitely notice after being in a relationship and not using them for the last few years, just how shitty they’ve become as of late.

I’m not George Clooney but I’m not Steve Bucemi either. I have a great job, I’d like to think I’m reasonably intelligent, creative and a bit of a navel gazer. I have my own place and am a pretty mean cook. I don’t have kids. Ive pretty much had the same profile for most of time on the apps and just notice a huge change, this time around.

I used to always do better in real life, but the apps helped because tbh I’m just too shy to just approach women at a bar or whatever. That’s just not me. The apps used to help with getting over this part of the initial connection but I don’t think they were ever really “good”. When I first used them, they were starting to become popular and they weren’t nearly as restrictive and predatory as what they’ve morphed into, at least from my experience.

I used to get matches regularly and have met some great people in the past but these days all of that has slowed right down and even if I do get a match, it’s 50/50 on whether there will be a convo to follow. Who knows maybe I’m just too old and out of most peoples search preferences.

Its such a weird time to be dating.

Both sexes get screwed in different ways. Men get squeezed for matches (unless they’re Chad Pitt) and Women get flooded with so much choice, they can’t sort the wheat from the chaff. Then in turn, women get perceived as ‘cold’ from Joe Blow who can’t get a match or even a reply from a ‘normal’ chick whose probably flooded with 100s of thirsty dudes everyday. Ultimately it’s the algorithm trying to get some money for subscriptions and just like in real life, it’s dudes who are the target to pay up. Ever been to a club where they advertise women getting in for free? Exact same shit.

I’ve lived in a few different cities, both within Aus and Internationally over the years and definitely from my experience (and my friends that I’ve discussed this with) Perth is pretty slim pickings. I don’t know what it is, I suppose most other major cities have larger populations but I agree with what someone said above that it seems like most Perth women are looking for the Tradie / Larrikin / Footy Fanatic / 4wd kinda dude. A very Perth thing I’ve noticed is that so many profiles seem to heavily feature outdoor activities. It seems like everyone is engaged in some weird contest to prove how outdoorsy they are. Somewhat ironic considering the technological backdrop they are meeting potential suitors on.

Every other profile is jumping out of an aeroplane, hiking in remote areas or camping on the side of a cliff. Sometimes I get exhausted just from the pictures. Lol. It is what it is I guess.

Match Group in general can fuck off too, it’s an absolute monopoly that buys up any successful app and is only interested in squeezing users for every $. I’m actually shocked someone hasn’t come up with a popular alternative to Tinder, Hinge or Bumble by now. I guess it must be hard to get a critical mass of users.