Dating now is different from how it was decades ago. The 1990s was almost three decades ago and for sure, a lot has changed with the way people socialize. This has also significantly changed the way how people find love. Back in the day, technology was still in development. A lot of these technological advancements have been proven beneficial for people who are looking for their significant others today.
A lot of social norms have also become popular nowadays. Some of them even were considered not acceptable decades ago. But this only proves that society is progressing and everyone seems to be adapting to the changes.
But how different really was dating in the 90s compared to today? Here are some of the most notable differences:
The Way People Meet
Decades ago when the use of the internet was very limited, people would usually meet through mutual friends, at work, or in school. It was also common for people to meet their partners through dating services. However, there weren’t as many choices back then so people would settle for the first service they found.
Today, with technology being more advanced than ever before, people have more options when it comes to finding their partners. They can now use dating apps which are very popular nowadays. Tinder alone had almost 8 million American users in 2019. Not to mention that there are a lot of other apps and websites that people can use for the same purpose. People are more likely to meet online through dating apps or social media platforms today.
People’s Perception of Dating
Dating is a process but its context has changed over time. Back in the day, dating was seen as a way to find a long-term partner. They talk about plans on moving to another city and living together. Some even talk about things like wedding locations and having kids already. Today, dating is more casual and people are more open to trying different things. Some relationships do last because of how deep their understanding is about connections. Meanwhile, others break up easily cause their perception of a relationship isn’t concrete. People’s view on dating has expanded since and it’ll continuously evolve throughout the years.
The Way People Date
Back in the 90s, people would usually go on dates to get to know each other better. That was the norm since finding someone to hang out with was really difficult. That’s why people took their time to know more about their dates. Today, people are more likely to go on dates and then go on to the next one easily if they didn’t like each other. That’s because it’s now easier to find another date because of technology. If someone sees a red flag they’re avoiding, chances are they would automatically stop seeing the person. They’d just go to the dating app and start swiping again.
Means of Communication
Having smartphones and the internet has done a lot of change in the dating scene. In the 90s, people would communicate mostly through face-to-face interactions or over the phone. They could stay up all night to talk to their partners even if it means they had to pay a costly phone bill. Letters were also an option but it would take days or weeks for people to reply to letters.
Nowadays, people can easily communicate through text messages, calls, and even video calls. With just a few clicks, they can easily connect with their partners anytime and anywhere. People can now even maintain long-distance relationships because of technological advancements. This convenience wasn’t available before which makes communication now more effortless than ever. The best thing about most of these services is they’re free or with minimal fees only.
Going on Multiple Dates
People nowadays are more likely to go on multiple dates before settling down. That’s because they want to find the right person for them. With technology making it easier to meet potential lovers, people are more likely to go on dates with different people before finding the one they’re compatible with. Another reason is that some people just want to have fun and don’t want to be tied down to a serious relationship. Lastly, some people might have had bad experiences in the past that made them wary of settling down too soon. They’d rather take their time to get to know someone better before committing.
Dating in the 90s was a lot different from today. But that doesn’t mean that it was better or worse. It was just different. Society has progressed and people have adapted. So, if you’re someone who’s looking for a significant other, don’t be afraid to try out different methods. You never know what might work for you. As society progresses, so does the way we date.
