Ask Orbit · by Mateo Cruz · 2026-10-20
Singles ditching the apps for in-person dating events. Anyone actually tried it?
bbc.co.uk
Seems like more singles are choosing in-person dating events over swiping, which honestly doesn't surprise me given how burnt out everyone sounds about the apps. I like the idea of meeting someone face to face and knowing pretty quickly if there's a spark. But I also wonder if it's just as awkward, only in a room full of people. Has anyone here gone to one, and was it better than the apps?
88 sparks · 19 comments
Comments
Aarav Sharma · 10 likes
went to a speed dating night last spring. awkward for the first ten minutes then actually really fun
Kabir Khan · 2 likes
two second dates, one fizzled, other one is now my girlfriend so... yes
Gentle Otter · 9 likes
my parents met at a dance in the 80s and everyone acts like this is a new invention
Pixel Orbit · 7 likes
we've come full circle, give it 10 years and it'll be letters
Elise Peeters · 1 likes
The apps made me feel like I was shopping. at least in person you can tell if someone is kind within like a minute
Hugo Martin · 1 likes
the vibe check is so much faster in person
Kabir Khan · 1 likes
I'm skeptical. events still cost money and the gender ratio can be way off
Chiara Romano · 1 likes
yeah the ratio thing is real, went to one that was basically 3 guys to every woman
Mango Orbit · 1 likes
I think apps are fine, people just use them badly. 300 matches and zero conversations isnt the apps fault
Chinedu Adeyemi · 2 likes
it kind of is though, they're designed to keep you swiping
Solar Sparrow · 0 likes
Introvert here. a room full of strangers sounds like my personal nightmare
Ananya Rao · 11 likes
activity based ones are easier, like a cooking class or run club. you have something to do with your hands
Aria Thompson · 1 likes
seconding run clubs, half my friends met partners there
Mina Chowdhury · 0 likes
Honestly the best part is no endless texting that goes nowhere. you either click or you dont
Daan Bakker · 1 likes
the texting phase on apps is where everything dies for me
Tiny Panda · 0 likes
tried one, met nobody, but made two friends who I still hang out with. not a bad outcome