Why unrealistically puffing up your image on your dating profile ultimately works to your disadvantage.
The era of dating apps has given singles a superpower they never had before—they can look like hot shit at all times. Social media lets the young, dumb and full of cum exist in a world without bad days, one where everyone is well-read, morally upright, financially stable and generally has their act together.
Anyone who’s spent more than five minutes swiping, however, knows that’s probably all it is—an act. Things aren’t always what they seem, and that’s especially true of dating apps. That “published writer” who has a book signing next month really only has a single byline on a neighborhood blog. As for the “race car driver” who wants you to be his date for Talladega, that fool just racked up a couple of speeding tickets and got charged for reckless driving. The “beauty queen,” well, she only photographs well from the neck up. And sometimes the deeply spiritual guru type turns out to be a full-blown lunatic with a criminal record.
Everyone posts their best perception of themselves, creating some flawless character they think will make them a catch. According to new research from the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, though, that approach is probably backfiring. It turns out, online dating doesn’t have to be as complicated as committing to a dramatic role. Singles, researchers concluded, probably don’t need the bells and whistles when scanning dating profiles as much as they do two simple things—a clear look at your face and a general sense of your overall vibe. Yep, just show them you’re attractive and cool, and that’s enough to seize their attention.
