#OnTheGo

My friend is an international student from Taiwan. Before the whole pandemic, she was supposed to travel back home this summer to get married to her high school sweetheart. Well, call it divine intervention or just the coronavirus ruining everything in its wake, my friend and her fiance ended their engagement just after the pandemic started.

Now, she’s stuck in North America until Canada loosens up their COVID-19 flight regulations, holed up in an apartment all by herself. Lonely, single, and heartbroken.

Sometime this week, after I came home from work she told me she’s trying to date again. Just two months after her engagement ended, she’s back on the dating market. Looking for someone to just spend time with, a rebound really.

My friend from Taiwan sentiments on being bored and looking for some fun until this whole pandemic “blows” over is similar to what many millennials and older Gen Zers are saying. They’re tired of being stuck in the house and are looking for any way to find excitement. Or, they have no idea how to navigate the dating scene now that they’re locked up at home.

Obviously, with the COVID-19 pandemic, the dating environment has changed dramatically. People are coming up with innovative ways to go on dates, and having different perspectives on their future relationships.

Here are some of the ways people are still forming relationships, despite not being able to physically interact with others.

Dating Apps

If you’ve been averse to dating apps in the past, they’re most likely your only option to get connected to other singles from now on.

If you’re looking for a quick hook up try Tinder. Want to make friends and date for fun, try Bumble. Or if you want something a long term then check out Hinge. 

These apps are great ways to get connected with people in your local area when socializing places like the bar, restaurants, or malls won’t be open for a while.

Zoom/Facetime Dates

Once you’ve found your potential partner, usually the next step in dating would be to go on a first date.

A more quarantine friendly type of date would be a zoom call or facetime date. In the video below, Youtuber Ashley Cross gives some tips on how to virtually date.

6 Feet Apart Dates

If you’re more into in-person dates, here are a few alternatives to meeting up with dates during the quarantine.

• Go for a Walk. (You’re still allowed to go outside.)
• Have a picnic at a park.
• Do a house date and bake together.