“What’s your Snap?” The world’s most overused and underwhelming pickup line.
Ever wonder why your grandparents always have the most gorgeous, book-worthy romance story, while you’re stuck Snapping back a picture of your wall or half of your face?
Romance and traditional forms of asking people out is “dead” and one solution would be to ask people out on more activities instead of roping yourself into situationships by skipping the traditional “dating” phase.
In the past, it was more traditional to be asked out to dinner or even a small coffee shop. Now it’s more common to just simply be “approached” and asked for Snapchat or Instagram details without ever specifically mentioning that it’s for a dating purpose.
Bernie Leal Sierra, sophomore international business and Spanish double major, spoke on what he thinks about current ways of asking someone out.
“[One noticeable shift in the dating scene] is just the informality of it nowadays,” Leal Sierra said. “I think people don’t have as much courage to ask someone out, and if they do it’s to ask for their Snap and nothing more, which is a downgrade from the more traditional ways of doing things.”
While asking for someone’s social media is an overall easier way of getting their attention, an argument can also be made that the costs might make a difference as well. Regardless, there are still so many activities that are just as romantic, while being low-budget or no cost. Going on a picnic in the park, a trip to The Children’s Museum, a walk around Holcomb Gardens or a bike-ride on Indiana Pacer Bikeshare electric bikes are examples of budget-friendly activities you can do, rather than sitting around and hoping the other person doesn’t notice your “double text.”
Sophomore strategic communication major Tess Elliott expressed her concerns with mainly online communication.
“A lot of things get lost in translation when you’re texting over the phone,” Elliott said. “I think that it is easier to jump to conclusions and be quick to judge when it’s over the phone.”
The more traditional way of “asking someone out” has almost completely died off, and in its absence “situationships” were invented. A situationship is a relationship that never really goes anywhere and is never made official. Situationships are an epidemic to the dating scene as they complicate emotions and are overall confusing to everyone involved.
Sophomore pharmacy PP2 major Peyton Kalka discussed how formal dating is fading away.
“Situationships have ruined the dating scene,” Kalka said. “I’ve seen so many people get so caught up in situationships that they forget that there are real people around them.”
Romantic gestures and formal dating are pretty much dead. Situationships and casual pickup lines have forced couples to skip the “traditional dating” phase. Asking someone out on a physical date makes so much more of an impression on the person.
Try it for yourself and see the difference it can make. Check out some cute parks nearby and maybe a cafe or two. Hold a door open for your date. Be the one to help revive chivalry.