Here’s a story for the online dating annals. Someone who had ghosted me on the previous app I was using swiped right on my profile on the new app I’m using. Perhaps he didn’t recognize me. Perhaps, he rued the day he ghosted me and was looking for another chance. I swiped right on his profile and sent him a message…

“If you don’t know how to end a relationship, you shouldn’t start one. You ghosted me a few months ago.”

No reply back, but I had my moment of satisfaction.

I have another story. This did not happen to me but to a girlfriend. She had been texting and talking with a match. They liked each other, she was impressed, hopeful, optimistic and feeling very positive towards him. They had met casually in person and the trust was starting to develop. One evening they were texting back and forth until it was getting rather late. She said I need to sign off, it’s time for lights out. He responded with, “Would you like a dick pic?” She was shocked, and rather taken aback. Before her brain could get her thumbs to hit block, he sent her a picture of Dick Clark. They have now met for an official first date, and so far, so good. A sense of humour on both sides is a good sign.

For those of you who have been curious; the first dating site I used was Match.com. I will never go back. I really did not like receiving comments on my appearance from anybody anywhere, even if they were trying to be complimentary. Or suave. To all men out there, please don’t try to be suave. 

The other complaint I have with Match.com is the ‘who’s viewed you’ column. It gives the user the ability to see who has looked at their profile, but if the same viewer does not show up in the ‘who’s liked you’ column then you know someone viewed you and you didn’t get a like… What is the purpose of that? Who needs to know someone did not hit like after seeing your profile? To be honest, there were a few who passed on me and I was tempted to send them a thank you note, but you get my drift. 

The new app I’m using is Bumble. It was designed by women with a strong emphasis on safety. Male viewers can swipe right if they like a profile, but only women can start the messaging. For gay and lesbian users, either party can begin the conversation after both have been matched. Another feature of Bumble is to use artificial technology to recognize a ‘dick pic’. Bumble won’t automatically censor those pics — after all, perhaps it was a request, but the receiver of the pic gets a warning first and then they can choose to accept or refuse. 

I recommend taking the time to research the dating app that suits you. There are lots of articles and reviews out there to match a person to the most appropriate dating app for their needs. And, speaking of research, in a Bumble profile I read, the man specified that his partner should be ‘GGG’. What? Well, google is gall-darned great because GGG turned out to be ‘good, giving, and game’. Good Grief. Sometimes I glad I’m left handed, it makes swiping left so much easier.

There will be no post next week as we all enjoy a holiday weekend.

Stay safe everyone.

Anne Milne is an every Sunday blogger.  Facebook or Twitter.