Dating Abroad

London was going to be where I was set free from dating apps, those unwanted pics on Snapchat, and getting all of my 264 post on Instagram liked by the same person who never slides into my DMs. I thought this would all be different in the land of crumpets, tea, and the Queen but boy was I wrong.

I arrived to London with no Tinder, Bumble, or Hinge on my phone because I wanted to meet someone “the old fashion way.” To be honest, I don’t even know what that means. I just pictured walking down a busy street, locking eyes with the most beautiful man I had ever laid eyes on.

We would pass each other and look back locking our eyes AGAIN but this time he would run after me and we would live happily ever after— too bad everyone in London is afraid of eye contact. Everyone is in their own bubble, they don’t speak to strangers, don’t look up from their phones, and have headphones in at all times to let the world know that they are unavailable.

Once I made friends and started going out to the bars and clubs, things seemed to start going somewhere. Alcohol is such an effective tool to make people loosen up and spark a connection among strangers, but unlike back in the US where you become best friends with a stranger in the bathroom, everyone here seems to stick to the people they know.

That means that you don’t meet the drug dealer-looking guy with a Gucci crossbody bag that keeps getting bottle service all night. Also, most guys will not come up to you. All of the guys I have, I had to talk to them first so I finally had to give in and get the stupid dating apps. I know, such a disappointment, but your girl had to do what she had to do.

The frustrating part about online dating is that you realize that no matter where you are, it is still shit! You get those corny pick up lines, boring conversations that start with “hey” and end with “what’s up,”, and giving the same story to everyone that asks “where are you from?” You may find a gem after swiping left a hundred times, but the chances of you actually meeting them in person are slim. I’m not going to lie, I have met a few people from tinder but it never went anywhere. At least I have more followers on Instagram since it was the only thing in my bio.

I honestly think the best way to date in London is to not try to date in London. When it is meant to happen, it will happen. Through mutual friends, at the park, or walking down the street, you never know! Just have low expectations, or even no expectations, and that is when you end up finding a very interesting person, no matter where you are in the world.