How to Start Dating Again If You’re Not Vaccinated
A nasty post-wax summer is happening all around us, but some members are n’t actually post-wax. The vaccine has been free and widely available for several months now, but about half of the population is still not vaccinated against COVID-19. Some of these unvaccinated people are still interested in dating, and if you are a dating member, we have some tips on how to do it ethically.
(Of course, we recommend getting vaccinated, but you already know that.)
Be aware that vaccination status will be the deciding factor for some.
Last month, dating app Bumble released its latest study on COVID era trends among surveyed users. About 30% of those polled in America said they would not go on a date or have sex with someone who is not vaccinated. A YouGov poll in the UK found that 28% of those surveyed there felt the same way.
This dramatically reduces your pool of options.
You may be thinking that you should simply persuade a couple to come with you, regardless of their position on your vaccine status. First, no means no. Second, the Bumble research group also found that 55% of global users said they were now less likely to compromise on what they want and need from a potential relationship. So 30% of people who don’t want to date someone vaccinated are more likely to stick to their weapon than ever.
“I am vaccinated, and no, I will not go on dates with anyone who is not vaccinated,” said a 29-year-old woman named Darien who meets in New York. Since the world started opening up again, she said, she’s been on eight or so first dates, “and those were some of the worst dates” she’s ever been. She attributes this to all the good dating prospects that are “stuck in quarantine” and everyone else is rusty. If you go out to the scene unvaccinated, you add the problem to the already long list of problems dating faces.
Each has its own violators. Some of the people in the apps may not be the same as you because you have the same name as one of their ex or parent. Some people may not date you because of your job title, hair color, temperament, hobby, or something else. Vaccination status as an obstacle is not new, but it is definitely something you just need to prepare for.
If you are still not vaccinated after a few months of free access, it is not an exaggeration to say that you are probably actively opting out of the vaccine. People who find your lack of a jab an obstacle are probably not your friends anyway.
Be honest with a potential date when talking about your vaccination status.
Since so many respondents say they will not date unvaccinated people, it is clear that this is a position that many people take seriously. The only ethical option here is to be completely honest about your unattractive status, even if it might seem a little odd depending on how aggressive you are.
Thankfully, dating apps are making it easier to disclose information after a number of them, from Tinder to OKCupid and Hinge, partnered with the White House this spring to encourage youth vaccinations. For example, the Bumble and Tinder apps offer users the option to add a badge to their profiles as soon as they receive it. Bumble even has a COVID Preference Center, which allows swipers to specify their preferences for real or virtual dating, social distancing, and potential partner vaccine status, and provides free credits for premium features like Spotlight and SuperSwipe for people using icon.
“Those trying to date without getting vaccinated can be frank. With most things that affect others, it’s better to be honest and let people decide if they want to date you, ”Darien said, although she indicated that she does not disclose her own vaccination status on her dating profiles.
“I think it’s pretty easy to tell by profile if they’re vaccinated or not, so I don’t think you need to add this badge to your dating profile, but it’s cool if you do,” she said. “If I was unsure, I would just ask in a conversation before the meeting.”
So, for those reading this who are vaccinated, the message is clear: if it matters to you, ask someone if you are unsure of their vaccination status or personal safety protocols. Tinder chats and first dates are all about communication, right? You ask what they do for a living, where they grew up and what they like to eat. Ask about this too.
Can find like-minded people
When you enter the search term “no vaccine date,” a lot of hits pop up on Twitter. The unvaccinated condemn icons in apps and publicly desire an “unvaccinated dating app.”
We even found one such app, Unjected, that advertises itself as “a platform for like-minded people supporting medical autonomy.” It has over 23,000 Instagram followers and a product line, so there is definitely a community full of people who think like you.
(But we still recommend getting vaccinated if we haven’t made it clear yet.)